Victoria University is an accessible and friendly university. We believe in embracing cultural difference – so we can be ourselves and feel empowered to achieve success.
We are proud to be one of the most culturally diverse universities in Australia. Our students and staff:
We share the belief that:
“Cultural rights are an integral part of human rights”
– UNESCO's Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity.
A sand art representation of our multicultural community commissioned by Victoria University Student Union.
Pandemic Reflections No. 5 – part of the VU Iftar 2020.
We work with our students, staff and partners to promote a culturally inclusive environment.
Victoria University’s Cultural Diversity Strategy represents our global mindset to:
Built on these principles, the strategy includes actions to:
Read the full Cultural Diversity Strategy 2018-2021.
VU takes a stand against racism.
Our Vice-Chancellor and President, Peter Dawkins, on behalf of VU, has made a statement on systemic racism, acknowledging the grief and pain this has caused to our First Peoples.
Together with our community we work to ensure that human dignity and human rights are upheld, educational and vocational opportunities and participation are equal for all.
As part of VU's commitment to anti-racism, we have taken a pledge in the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria’s All One Together Campaign.
The Campaign seeks to highlight connections between all Victorians to reflect on the question – how we want to be together? And, finally, celebrate the great strides that the Victorian community has already covered in creating a socially inclusive, cohesive society for all.
We join other organisations as ambassadors: Welcoming Australia, Capire Consulting Group, Think HQ, Australian Conservation Foundation, Yarra Valley Water, and Football Victoria.
We are very proud of our VU Cultural Inclusion Advocates. They have been nominated as passionate cultural diversity ‘enablers’ from their respective areas in the teaching, learning and library areas of the University, to support building a strong inclusive culture.
Joanna is a teacher in psychology, and also an early career researcher. She enjoys teaching the diverse group of students who attend Victoria University, and aims to be a good ally to students of all cultural backgrounds.
As someone whose research includes a focus on stigma (discrimination), she understands the need to provide extra support to ensure all people are on a level playing field at university. She aims to nurture the talents of undergraduates to help improve cultural diversity in academia, and the professional workforce more generally.
Jean comes from a culturally and linguistically diverse background and has a knowledge of cultural inclusion practices by working within a range of settings; for instance, teaching at an international school in the Middle East, at a disability service, with marginalised youth, or with refugee adolescent mothers. Her doctoral study and consequent research explore school culture and the too-often made assumptions that can cause barriers to constructive relationships. At Victoria University, Jean teaches and develops units and programs in support of cultural inclusion, as well as illuminating the complexities.
"I believe cultural diversity adds richness to any collective and should be respected, valued and reflexively considered throughout one's life. Who am I? Who are we? How can we be better?"
College of Engineering and Science
Horace was born overseas and grew up surrounded by many cultures, out of which many lasting friendships were made. Horace has been privileged to study in a multicultural diverse environment gaining an insight into how the others live, interact, assimilate and socialise.
"My current teaching profession enables me to impart life experiences as well as professional expertise to a whole spectrum of students from different cultural, social and economic backgrounds with a common goal to work hard and succeed. Cultural cohesion is a cornerstone to stability, mutual understanding and respect. I hope my participation will contribute to enhance cultural diversity at Victoria University."
Jennifer is a librarian who has been at Victoria University for many years, enjoying working in an environment which is accepting of those from many different countries and cultures. Libraries are places of welcome, learning, and connection.
"We need to see each other as individuals showing respect and understanding of difference, and to provide spaces and opportunities for everyone to feel welcome."
Libraries City
Rachel is a dedicated library professional, with over 25 years’ experience in post-secondary libraries. Having spent 15 years living and working in Mildura, she is acutely aware of the cultural divides that still exist in Australian society, particularly with regards to Indigenous Australians and asylum seekers. Libraries have always been a safe haven for students of all backgrounds and play a unique role in promoting and supporting cultural diversity.
"I’m a first generation Australian, of Welsh and German heritage. My Jewish grandparents escaped Germany in the 1930s for the UK, but they lost family members in Auschwitz. Additionally, my partner’s grandmother was a member of the Stolen Generation. Having this ancestral history I am passionate about cultural diversity and equality for all, and am determined to set a great example for my children. I have absolutely zero tolerance for discrimination and oppression and constantly strive to make my workplaces safe and enjoyable environments for all."
Victoria University Business School
Kim works as the Course and Unit Advisor for Victoria University Business School (VUBS) and has been at VU for the last four years, working across all campuses as a VUHQ Student Advisor.
"I am of Vietnamese background and my parents were among the first refugees that fled the Vietnam War to come to Australia. As a first generation Australian, I have seen the power of diversity and empathy within our community. At VU we're lucky to be surrounded by such a diverse group of staff and students and I am excited to support VUBS and our students in this role.
I hope to continue to promote a zero tolerance workplace against discrimination by providing a safe space for students and staff to voice any concerns."
Hailing from multicultural Singapore, where he practised law for 14 years, Abdul Rahman scouted around before deciding to settle down in Melbourne in 2001 because of its vibrancy. He taught at Monash University and practised as a community legal centre lawyer where he encountered students and clients of diverse heritage, before joining Victoria University as a law lecturer in 2008. Malay by race and Muslim by faith, Abdul Rahman has a keen interest in comparative cultures and building bridges across different faiths, including non-religious creeds. He enjoys the even greater diversity at VU, which he reckons is one of the many pluses of the University.
College of Engineering and Science
Hao Shi was born and grew up in China. She obtained her bachelor degree in China before coming to Australia to complete her PhD. She has been in universities for nearly 30 years and interacting with students and staff from various ethnic, cultural, language, political and religious backgrounds.
As the course chair and site coordinator for China operations for the Bachelor of Information Technology within the College of Engineering and Science, she has been heavily involved in cultural and international programs and witnessed the importance of diversity and inclusion.
"As a wife, a mother, a first generation migrant from Chinese background and a full-time academic, I am passionate about promoting multiculturality and improving equity."
Cultural Inclusion Advocates provide a unique opportunity for her to contribute to building a culture with zero tolerance towards bullying, harassment and discrimination, and creating an accepting, inclusive, and safe place for students and staff community.
College of Health and Biomedicine
Anthony is a passionate teacher and researcher, holding his doctorate for nearly 20 years. His research laboratory holds students from various cultural, political and religious backgrounds, including Muslim, atheist, Christian and Hindu.
“As a first generation, Catholic male from Italian background, a dad, and a full-time employee at Victoria University, I understand the importance of equity and diversity in our multicultural environment. I feel privileged to be part of this initiative to help cement the significance of cultural diversity, so we feel accepted, inclusive, safe, important, valued and heard. Personally, I promote a zero tolerance for discrimination and oppression, which will inevitably build a better and happier workplace.”
Dr Jean Hopman:
"I believe cultural diversity adds richness to any collective."
Associate Professor Hao Shi:
"I am passionate about promoting multiculturality and improving equity."
VU won Multicultural Business Award from the Victorian state government's Multicultural Commission in 2018 for our outstanding service to multicultural communities.
The formal recognition reaffirms our long-standing purpose to provide exceptional value for any student from any background while uplifting the many communities in which we operate.
It also points to VU’s incredibly diverse community that co-creates the sense of belonging and social cohesion that the University is well known for.
“Cultural diversity at VU is not just based on statistics – it has long been at the heart of the work we undertake each and every day with our students, colleagues, and the community.”
Dr Teresa De Fazio, former Manager, Cultural Diversity
The award highlights VU’s formal Cultural Diversity Strategy with its many initiatives that advance a rich diversity of perspectives.
Victoria University Polytechnic’s Youth English Program has won the Multicultural Award 2020 for Excellence in Vocational Education and Training.
This award recognises innovative education programs that deliver outstanding learning and teaching to enhance the social inclusion, wellbeing and education outcomes for students from CALD communities.
Ms Teresa Tija (former Vice President of Planning Registrar), former-VC Professor Dawkins and Dr Teresa De Fazio (former Manager, Cultural Diversity)
Victoria University is seeking to establish a VU Cultural Diversity Student Interest Group.
If you would like to be part of this group, we'd love to hear from you!
As part of the Cultural Diversity group, you'll get to help us develop student intercultural interactions and opportunities:
This is a great way to get involved in your community and grow your understanding of different cultures, while making new friends who share your interests.
Let’s get together to make a difference and create a culturally inclusive VU!
Make new friends and create a better community for all with the Cultural Diversity Student Interest Group.
