Name

Glenn Withers

CEO, Universities Australia

Our universities are thoroughly internationalised in the best way - through people. Around one quarter of university students are international and many stay on as permanent residents.

Why is your organisation supporting A Taste of Harmony?

Universities Australia is the peak body for Australia’s 39 universities. Our universities are thoroughly internationalised in the best way - through people. Around one quarter of university students are international and many stay on as permanent residents. This is higher than for any other country. Many staff are recruited internationally, and close integration across global networks is a feature of the university world, including for research. Cultural diversity is evident and rich on any university campus in the country.

Is embracing cultural diversity within the workplace important?

Making a multicultural society work well in every sphere of life, workplace or elsewhere is a litmus test for a good society. Modern Australia does this better than most and we can be proud of that. But management must keep learning how to best support this process and make it the norm.

What are the benefits of having a culturally diverse workforce?

Benefits are there aplenty for well managed diversity. I have always been impressed by US studies which show how racial integration in sports gave a huge advantage to the integrated teams. Diversity means there are things to learn from others.

How does your organisation harness and support culturally diverse workers?

University classes provide a natural vehicle for sharing perspectives and learning from others. What matters are the ideas and the knowledge, not any ascriptive characteristics. Campuses beyond the classroom are also the way diversity works out well- in the clubs, societies, sports clubs, cafeterias, concerts and galleries that make universities a broader experience.

Tell us a little bit about your cultural background

My personal background is fifth generation Australian dating back to the Gold Rushes and hailing in equal parts from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. In its own way even that historical migrant experience is diverse, and helped build the modern Australia that is now widening that embrace handsomely.

Personally, why is celebrating cultural diversity important to you?

Because it so rewarding. Learning while having fun is the best revenge and university activity allows both so very well. Having helped to develop the Australia immigration points system, it is also personally great to see how it has helped foster a strong and diverse immigration program.

Has cultural diversity influenced your career? If so, how?

Cultural diversity has certainly enriched my life and career. Close school friends from Sri Lanka, good undergraduate friends from Thailand, postgraduate research in Europe and North America, research projects in Malaysia, Germany, Mauritius and Bhutan have made an academic career a real privilege and pleasure.