By Timothy Okurut
The South Sudanese students have been recognised as the best exhibitors at the just concluded International students’ week held at Uganda Christian University(UCU). The award was made based on the level of organisation and participation seen by the adjudicators at the food and cultural exhibitions.
The International students’ week is a celebration that brings together cultures from diverse countries on the continent and beyond. Held under the theme “Celebrating Diversity, Building Unity,” the celebrations were organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the 28th Guild Government.
“This was an opportunity for us to unite our cultures as international students, but also share our culture with the nationals,” Hon. Favour Vera Maombi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said.
A total of 10 countries were represented during this week’s activities including Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Sudan, Eritrea, Liberia, Germany, Nigeria and Malawi. They had the opportunity to engage in different activities including cleaning of the university compound, serving meals at the Janan Luwum dining hall, a barbecue evening, a sports gala, food exhibition and a cultural dance exhibition.
The height of the activities was a food exhibition and a cultural gala on Friday where they showcased different delicacies and dances from their places of origin, an affair that was graced by the presence of officials from the Directorate of Student Affairs along with the Guild President. The food exhibition also received great applause from nationals who were amazed at the idea of tasting foreign delicacies.
“Everything about the food and cultures was unique, I would like to try more and more,” Thembo Kennedy, one of the students, said.
The President of the International Students’ Association (ISA), Rechiel Akur expressed gratitude to all the international students for turning up with their food: “I’m so happy that the food exhibition went well and we appreciate all the countries that presented.”
Maombi said these engagements help the different cultures unite with each other while appreciating their heritage. She also added that the local students benefited from the exhibitions brought by the international students. “Nationals had the opportunity to taste the different foods without moving out of the country,” she said.
