MBZUAI celebrates diversity with music, dance, and food – International Day 2021

Music, dance and food brought together MBZUAI’s multicultural student body to celebrate International Day 2021 on November 17 at the Masdar City campus. The colorful and lively event featured country pavilions, performances, and a buffet of international cuisine. It is the first event of its kind in MBZUAI’s short history, attracting more than 300 staff, faculty, researchers, and students.

“The UAE is a country full of expatriates that came here for the opportunities of a stable and prosperous life afforded to them by the UAE leadership’s vision of a tolerant and diverse population… MBZUAI’s story is no different,” Professor Fakhri Karray, MBZUAI Provost and judge at the International Day Awards ceremony said.

“The source of our strength is that we attract the best talent for faculty and students that the world has to offer. Our diversity is our strength and worthy of being celebrated in this way.”

Represented by more than 25 nations, 17 student teams participated in the inaugural MBZUAI International Day Booth Awards which celebrated the university’s diversity and tolerance. MBZUAI students decorated country pavilions and prepared gifts from their homelands. The students hard work was evident at the main show which offered guests a chance to enjoy vibrant live dance performances including dance troupes and a flash mob. Attendees were quick to partake in the cross-cultural experience, often joining dancers.

Celebrations also provided the guests with a chance to savor featured dishes from the international cuisines from participating countries. The overall winner of the Booth Awards was India, following by a combined team from Palestine and Jordan, and Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

“It’s essential for educational institutions to foster inclusion and awareness of different cultures,” MBZUAI President, Professor Eric Xing, said. “At MBZUAI we encourage diversity of thought and the kinds of productive dialogue that lead to great ideas and great accomplishments.”

International Day will continue to be a platform to celebrate students, and staff, our diversity, similarities, and our differences, and to explore and engage with cultures from across the globe.

Related Links:

• Building an AI community
• Costa Rica and MBZUAI discuss the importance of AI to the future of sustainabilit