African Awareness Week at University of British Columbia



MONDAY, JAN 16:

Opening Night: The Africa in UBC

High Commissioner of Lesotho in Canada and UBC alumna, Her Excellency Dr. Mathabo Tsepa, will address students, faculty, administration and the Vancouver community on the dire necessity of an African Studies Program and the role it will play in creating truly “international leaders” from UBC. The night will also include cultural performances by AAI members as well as the greater Vancouver African community.
Venue: Museum of Anthropology
Time: 6:00 - 7:30pm
TUESDAY, JAN 17:

Research In Africa

Two UBC professors will be presenting their research projects in Africa and speak on the unparalleled importance of Africa’s ecosystems
Venue: Global Lounge
Time: 12:00 - 1:30pm
Speakers:
  • Dr. Gary Bull, UBC Forestry
    • Dr. Gary Bull
  • A representative from The Africa Forest Research Initiative on Conservation and Development (AFRICAD)
    • Two UBC professors will be presenting their research projects in Africa and speak on the unparalleled importance of Africa’s ecosystems.

    Africa in film - The first grader

    The inspiring true story of the struggles and triumphs of an 84 year old Kenyan fighting to receive elementary education
    Venue: Global Lounge
    Time: From 7:00pm - 9:00pm
    WEDNESDAY, JAN 18:

    Open a Book, Read Africa

    World-renowned author and the 2011 Winner for the Caine Prize for African Literature will be speaking to two literature classes, AFST 351 and ENGL 224 about the state of the modern African literature in the world.
    Venue: Marine Drive Ballroom
    Time: 4:30 - 6:00pm
    Keynote Speaker: NoViolet Bulawayo
    NoViolet Bulawayo is the 2011 Winner for the Caine Prize for African Literature.
    NoViolet Bulawayo
    "NoViolet recently earned her MFA at Cornell University where her work has been recognized with a Truman Capote Fellowship. She currently teaches creative writing and composition at Cornell. NoViolet was born and raised in Zimbabwe. Some of her work includes Hitting Budapest, which has attributed to her literary accomplishments. Noviolet has graciously accepted to come to UBC and share her literary work and journey, not to mention the importance of African literature in western higher education. She will also offer words of inspiration to aspiring authors and African students on campus.
    THURSDAY, JAN 19:
    Revolution, African style
    Venue: The Liu Institute
    Time: 5:00 - 7:00pm
    Guest Speakers:
  • Dr.Deborah Campbell, Journalism
    • Dr. Deborah Campbell
  • Dr. Taylor Owen, Journalism
    • Dr. Taylor
    Two UBC professors will come together and speak on how the revolutions in North Africa this past spring have creatively connected social media and politics in an innovative and democratic manner.

    Artistic Night: For the Love of Africa

    An open mic night dedicated to celebrating Africa through slam poetry and other performances.
    Venue: Abdul Ladha Centre
    Time: From 7:30pm onwards
    An open mic night dedicated to celebrating Africa through slam poetry and other artistic performances.
    FRIDAY, JAN 20:

    SIKILIZA

    An Afro-fusion cultural night with performances, entertainment and a DJ playing music from the continent celebrating the end of a successful Conference Week.
    Venue: International House
    Time: 8:00pm onwards

    :Closing Remarks:
    By stressing Africa’s impact on western higher education, we hope that the university realizes the necessity of a stable African Studies Program. The presence of such notable speakers on campus shows that the University of British Columbia shows its continued dedication to follow through with the complete and justified ‘creation of global citizens.’

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