The wide variety of people who make up the University of the Sunshine Coast community will be celebrated at USC Diversity Week from 22-26 August.

Staff, students, alumni and the public are invited to join in an exciting program of events at USC’s Sippy Downs campus, including a market day, shared intercultural meals, discussion forums and a documentary screening.

The program will begin with the Diversity Week Breakfast at USC’s Innovation Centre on Monday 22 August, when the 2016 winners of the Vice-Chancellor and President’s Equity and Diversity Awards will be announced.

Acclaimed portraiture artist and Archibald Prize finalist Jandamarra Cadd will give a keynote address at the event, which is held to recognise individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to equity and inclusion.

On Tuesday 23 August, the Diversity Week Market Day and Cultural Immersion Day will feature stalls, fun activities, workshops, international food and live music performances from 10am-2pm.

On Thursday 25 August, staff and students will be encouraged to don purple clothing and try a purple cupcake for ‘Wear It Purple Day’, which raises awareness of the issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning (LGBTIQ) young people.

The week will culminate in a full-day Multicultural Conversations State Forum on Friday 26 August, when representatives from service providers, community centres, cultural groups and government will gather at the Innovation Centre to discuss an action plan for diversity.

Diversity Week events are also being held at USC’s Fraser Coast, South Bank and Gympie campuses.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the 2016 USC Diversity Week, with a theme of ‘Together We Will Grow’, was a chance for the USC community to have creative conversations about equity and diversity.

“Principles of diversity are at the heart of USC’s governance and policies,” he said. “But they are also embodied each and every day by those who make outstanding contributions towards creating a community in which we all feel included.

“In our 20th anniversary year, it is a particularly important time to celebrate the diversity of people and groups who have helped to shape USC.”

The Diversity Week Breakfast is a free public event, but registrations are essential. The full schedule of events and RSVP information can be found at www.usc.edu.au/events.

— Gen Kennedy