8th March is International Women’s Day (IWD), on which we celebrate the major contributions of female colleagues and students to UNNC. This year, in addition to IWD, we will celebrate the week of 4th to 10th March as 2024 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Week, with a series of events promoting diversity, inclusivity and equity across our community.
Join us for exciting interactive sessions tailored for staff and students through Staff Portal or Student Portal.
Monday 4 March
Disability Inclusion Board Games for All
Date and Time: 2-4.30PM, Monday 4 March
Venue: Library Multifunction Room 01
The activity will lead participants to challenge stereotypes about 'disability' and promote awareness of disability inclusion through well-designed games.
For various reasons, there aren't many integration scenarios between non-disabled and disabled people, as well as between different types of disabilities. As a result, it's possible to unintentionally offend disabled people due to certain stereotypes. Through our interaction with the community, we have found that games can be a powerful medium to build trust, confidence and communication between people. This game aims to help players recognise stereotypes, better express kindness and promote positive change.
About the Facilitators
Zuzu Zu, a board game designer, utilizes common sense and logic in his creations, along with a hefty dose of intuition. In his works, he strives to evoke players' emotions, explore game-play narratives, and seek personal expression. His released titles include "Sea of Memory" "On the Earth" and "MNP: The Last Misson".
Sally Ren, Founder of Diversability Lab, She joined Leping Social Entrepreneur Foundation in June 2020. She spent seven and a half years traveling overseas to design and develop educational projects in China to improve youth employability, empower young people from universities at home and abroad, and introduce sustainable talents to Chinese companies. Her current focus is on promoting the social inclusion of people with disabilities. In 2021, with the support of the Leping Foundation, the Diversability Lab was officially established, focusing on improving the well-being of people with disabilities, while supporting business leaders to make good use of their advantages, voices and resources, and jointly use the power of business to promote society and the environment for the better, promote sustainable development and build a bridge for social innovation.
Tuesday 5 March
Beyond Borders: Bridging Gaps and Building Bridges
Date and Time: 1.30-5PM, Tuesday 5 March
Venue: Library Multifunction Room 01
This workshop aims to deepen understanding of each other's cultures, learn to develop one's own cultural sensitivity and skills when interacting with other cultures.
It will introduce participants to cultural differences in the workplace and focus on team cohesion and shared understanding, enabling them to put this knowledge into practice in their own context. Through participation in this interactive workshop, participants will identify potential misunderstandings or conflicts and brainstorm culturally sensitive solutions.
Appreciate the unique differences that each of us brings to the table. You are cordially invited to attend this half-day workshop to discuss a range of relevant and meaningful intercultural communication scenarios. There are 40 places available for this workshop, so please register if you are interested!
About the Facilitators
Malcolm Nerva is a passionate developer of people and organizations, using his skills to deliver unique and transformational programs to over 10,000 participants from all over the world. His greatest fulfilment comes from helping individuals and teams achieve powerful, long-lasting and positive transformation of their mindset, beliefs and behavior.
Ng Phek Yen is a Fortune 500 leadership coach, facilitator and trainer with strong business background of more than 19 years of working experience in Mainland China, Hong Kong China and Malaysia. She specializes in global leadership development, intercultural, team effectiveness, diversity & inclusion, women’s leadership, and innovation.
Anti-Sexual Harassment Public Talk
Date and Time: 6.30-7.30PM, Tuesday 5 March
Venue: Library Multifunction Room 01
Sexual harassment can occur in any setting, can cause conflict and hostility, and can involve both men and women. We offer a practical session on sexual harassment prevention. The purpose of this session is to give students an opportunity to understand sexual harassment, to identify inappropriate behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment, to learn how to deal with issues related to the topic and to avoid misunderstandings, especially in different cultural and social contexts.
About the Speaker
Dr. Li (Lily) CAI is the Director of the Language Center at Sino-German Institute of Design and Communication (SGI), Zhejiang Wanli University.
Lily did her PhD with the School of Education, University of Nottingham in Internationalisation of Higher Education prior to taking up a lectureship in English for Academic Purposes at the Southern University of Science and Technology China (SUSTech). Apart from teaching, she has completed several research projects in higher education management and leadership, international schooling and special education.
Before joining SGI, Lily was the Manager for Researcher Training and Development (PhD Trainer) at UNNC) and with Graduate School she trained more than 500 PhD students over a period of six years. Drawing on her previous teaching and research experience in different academic contexts and cultural settings she now focuses on language center management and research in language and identity, cultural studies, and social justice in education.
The project “Preventative Guidelines Against Sexual Harassment on Multi-Cultural Campuses” started in the summer of 2018 and aimed at helping students and staff better understand potential issues and risks related to sexual harassment. The published paper was titled Sexual Harassment on International Branch Campuses: Awareness, Perception, and Prevention. Over the past years, we have given talks and workshops to students and staff to raise awareness on prevention as well as to inform our community on protection and support.
Wednesday 6 March
Gender Equality and Language in Society Talk
Date and Time: 2.30-4PM, Wednesday 6 March
Venue: Library Multifunction Room 01
This talk discusses gender issues in language used in society. Language as a method of human communication is part of culture and reflects culture of the society, including patriarchal culture. The language used in society often reveals misogyny or discrimination against women which helps perpetuate gender stereotypes and women’s secondary position. Feminist scholars believe that the words we use matter in (achieving) gender equality and gender-conscious use of language is important for the emancipation of the gender ‘minorities’ such as women, and therefore have made many efforts in intervening gender issues in language for gender equality. This talk not only exposes gender inequality reflected in the patriarchal use of language, but also demonstrates the progress made by feminist scholars in gender equality in language use.
About the Speaker
Dr. Lily Yu is currently an Associate Professor of Translation Studies in the School of Education and English and the Research Lead of the Research Priority Area in Gender Studies in the Institute of Asia and Pacific Studies at UNNC. She holds an MSc in Translation Studies (University of Edinburgh) and a PhD in Translation and Intercultural Studies (University of Manchester). She teaches mainly on the MA Interpreting and Translation Programme. Her research interests include gender/women/ feminism in/and translation, (feminist) translation history, museum narratives and translation, war interpreting/interpreter, translation education, and intercultural communication. She is a member of the Editorial Board of Asian Journal of Women's Studies and of the Journal Translation Horizons and member of the Board of Directors of Zhejiang Translators Association. She has published monographs, textbooks, translations, and journal articles. Her recent publications include: ‘Museum text translation in the Chinese context: the museum role and text production (with Thomas Hirzel. Museum Management and Curatorship. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/09647775.2022.2132992), ‘Conflicting Memories of War Interpreting’ (The Routledge Handbook of Translation and Memory, 58-73, 2022), ‘Translating Feminism in China: A Historical Perspective’ (Routledge Handbook Translation, Feminism and Gender, 308-318, 2020), ‘Translation as Adaptation and Selection: A Feminist Case’ (Perspectives: Studies in Translation Theory and Practice 25(1), 2017), and Translating Feminism in China: Gender, Sexuality and Censorship (Routledge, 2015).
Game across Continents
Date and Time: 2-5PM, Wednesday 6 March
Venue: Central lawn opposed of PB
UNNC promotes an international community with a variety of cultures represented by staff and students from many different countries. To embrace and value the rich diversity of staff and students across campus, this event aims to provide a platform for participants to build friendships and experience diversity by hosting game stations and offering a range of fun games from different cultures. Participants are expected to visit one station representing each continent and have fun with their peers.
Join in and celebrate the diversity of our university community!
Movie Screening - CODA (Sign language)
Date and Time: 6-8.30PM, Wednesday 6 March
Venue: IAMET 121
One step a person can take toward assisting the deaf community is becoming more aware of it.
CODA is a 2021 coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Sian Heder. An English-language remake of the 2014 French-Belgian film La Famille Bélier, it stars Emilia Jones as Ruby Rossi, the titular child of deaf adults (CODA) and only hearing member of her family, a teenager who attempts to help her family's struggling fishing business while pursuing her own aspirations of being a singer. The movie uses deaf actors to play the deaf characters, who, along with Jones, communicate using American Sign Language.
The movie will be introduced by Magdalena Rybarczyk, Preliminary Year Tutor in Linguistics and Literature (UNNC).
Thursday 7 March
Inclusive Experience Workshop
Date and Time: 10.30-11.30AM, Thursday 7 March
Venue: Library Multifunction Room 03
UNNC aims to create an inclusive and equitable teaching and learning environment for the benefit of all students. You may have encountered students with disabilities around you, or you may have a disability yourself; this workshop will explore how to provide or access the right support so that we can all flourish as independent learners.
About the Speaker
Jean Wu is the Senior Disability Support Advisor, Health and Wellbeing Centre at UNNC.
Jean has a Master’s of Applied Management Theory from the University of Glasgow, UK and a Master’s of Special Education Needs/Additional Learning Needs from the University of South Wales, UK. She is a Registered Fellow of Educational Therapists (Asia), a member of the National Association of Disability Practitioners CIC, UK, a National Level Three psychological consultant, China and a UNNC EDI representative. She has 15 years of experience in giving general support to students with all kinds of disabilities in higher education, including giving screenings to dyslexia, ADHD and Autism students, making alternative exam arrangements, and providing time management and other learning skills support to these students. She also over 10 years’ experience in offering training in general disability awareness, how to support students with mental health difficulties, dyslexia, ADHD, Autism and other learning differences, inclusive teaching strategies to academic staff, and more.
Women and Arts
The world is increasingly recognising the creativity of women as the energy of female artists continues to grow. During EDI Week 2024, we are inviting female artists from various fields to come to campus, presenting their art exhibition, and sharing the unique perspectives and thoughts.
Immersive Art Experience: Live Portraits, Art Talk, and Pop-Up Exhibition
(1) Live Portraits: Capture Your Essence in 15 Minutes
Artist Dandi Gu invites you to embark on a journey of self-discovery through her captivating live portraiture. Witness her masterful use of black and white lines as she captures your unique personality, expression, and style, offering a glimpse into the diverse tapestry of contemporary society. This ongoing project is an invitation to activate your senses and contemplate the essence of being.
Join Dandi on 7 March, 1 - 3PM in the LibraryLibrary's 1F lobby, and let her create a personalized portrait that reflects your inner spark.
(2) Art Talk: Unveiling the Multifaceted Self
Delve into the creative world of Dandi Gu, a renowned illustrator, curator, and visual artist who thrives in the dynamic art scenes of New York and Shanghai. She graduated from the China Academy of Art (CAA) and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). In this insightful talk on 7 March, 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM, held in the Library's 1F Multifunction Room 03, Dandi will share her artistic journey and offer valuable insights into navigating the ever-evolving art landscape. Discover how she carves her own unique space and unveils the multifaceted layers of her artistic identity.
(3) Pop-Up Exhibition: A Dance of Lines and Emotions
Embark on a visual odyssey through Dandi's captivating pop-up exhibition, "Love, Me, the Dance of Lines," held from 3 to 15 March in the Library's 1F lobby. Witness her whimsical and bold painting style that reflects the raw emotions of individuals navigating the concrete jungle, while exploring the vibrant potential of art in public spaces.
Friday 8 March
Women and Arts
Workshop: Aspiration from female artists (Wuduo Studio)
Date and Time: 4-5.30PM, Friday 8 March
Venue: Library Multifunction Room 03
Through their works, the artists invited by Wuduo Arts will share their creative experiences as well as their expressions on gender relations and the beauty of the female body. Throughout the event, you'll have the opportunity to network with some brilliant artists and create your own piece of art through painting on the used face mask. With the theme of Women's Power in Art, we hope to convey the power of creativity and intelligence that women bring to the table.
About the studio
With the central idea of "women's awakening", Wuduo Arts is formed by a group of young women who love art, value friendship and are trying to find their self-identity. They are in the spirit of being who they are and doing what they want to do at their own pace. They accept as much external evaluation as we can get. But not fearfully and not based on external evaluation.
About the Artists
Yiduo He (Kelly)
Her real name is Wu Ting. Graduated from Shanxi Normal University with a Master's degree. Currently, she is the manager of Wuduo Art.
Yiduo Huang (Bubu)
Her real name is Jiali Hang. Teacher and illustrator at the Academy of Fine Arts, Shanxi Normal University.
Graduated from Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, postgraduate student at the Academy of Fine Arts of Capital Normal University, visiting scholar at the Sino-Tibetan Buddhist Art Research Centre of Zhejiang University.
She has drawn illustrations for Huanglin poetry collection "The City in the North" and the novel "Divorced Men and Women"; she has set up illustration columns in "Mother and Child World" and "Enbaby"; serialising comic stories such as "Pregnant Mothers Can't" and "Pig Mothers Gave Birth to a Bunny"; and has set up a "Bu Bu Column" in the early childhood education section of "Shanxi Education", commenting on and analysing children's paintings and the psychology of young children; She has created a folk art brand [No·Design] in the Handicraft Union of the Zhuanzhuan; and has been interviewed by “China Handicraft” and “Chinese Baby” magazines.
Alumni Experience Sharing
Date and Time: 1.30-3PM, Friday 8 March
Venue: Library Multifunction Room 03
Renowned alumna, Qinqin Huang, is invited to share her spiritual journey and experience in entrepreneurship, as well as the obstacles she has faced in pursuing her dreams, and to provide empowerment and tips for young women considering their careers and how to realise their self-worth.
Participants will have the opportunity to design shoes with her at the end of the workshop. The resulting artwork can be taken home or archived by Qinqin for preservation.
About the Speaker
Qinqin Huang, a Class of 2012 graduate in International Communication and French, is the Founder/Design Director of the renowned Designer shoe brand 'ouvrir la boite', Chief designer of 'DIBO MANNER', and Director of 'olb PR Studio'.
She is an artistic shoe designer who believes in the design concept of "the art of practical wear". Her works have been showcased in international fashion shows and magazines multiple times. Qinqin Huang specializes in acquiring insights on consumer psychology and utilizes her unique design philosophy to create exquisite designs. She is highly passionate about blending creativity and techniques to produce exceptional designs. In addition to her remarkable career, Qinqin Huang has been honoured with many awards, including the British Alumni of Excellence Award 2023-24 Culture and Creativity Award. China Daily has also profiled her as a celebrated shoe designer.
She is an outstanding graduate of UNNC, majored in International Communication with French, and has also had three study experiences to Europe, which have exposed her to different cultural backgrounds and helped her develop from self-exploration to self-determination. Not only that she founded a non-profit organisation, JAEZ Campus Art and Culture Promotion Platform, which regularly organised more than 30 photography conferences, art forums, and interviews. After graduation, Qinqin Huang participated in the alumni mentoring scheme, providing academic and career planning guidance to current students.
Saturday 9 March
Campus Run in Colour
2024 Campus Run in Colour
Date and Time: 8.30-10AM, Saturday 9 March
Venue: Athletics Track
Sign up via the UNNC Sports WeChat official account
On Saturday morning, the weekly campus run will take place as part of EDI Week to celebrate the diversity we have on campus and to promote equality and inclusivity. The event will take place at the athletics track at 8:30am. You will also be covered from head to toe in a different coloured powder at various points along the Campus Run route (don't worry, it's non-toxic and easy to wash off). After the run, all participants will receive a free coffee from Trio.
Sunday 10 March
Girls’ Night In
Date and Time: 1.30-9PM, Sunday 10 March
Venue: Sports Centre
Sign up via the UNNC Sports mini program and WeChat official account
Girls’ Night In is about coming with friends you already have or coming to meet like-minded people and make new friends. We have a series of exciting activities such as cardio, resilience challenging activities, mindful movement, yoga and sound bath, in addition, there will also be girls’ talks. All these activities will be led by female leaders who will empower you to think differently about being physically active and nourish your mental and emotional health, and help you step out of your comfort zone to explore new aspects of yourself.
Calling all strong, empowered, and fearless ladies! Get ready to embrace your true potential and celebrate International Women’s Day and UNNC EDI week by joining us for the highly anticipated Girls’ Night In event on 10 Mar. This year, we’re amplifying the spirit of womanhood with the theme of H.E.R Power-
H-Health, Happiness;
E-Exercise, Empower;
R-Respect, Resilience.