Department of Tourism and Hospitality Highlights the Kingdom’s Cultures and Civilizations at International Students’ Day Celebration
Coinciding with International Students’ Day and the International Day for Tolerance, held under the theme "Every Land Has a Story," Umm Al-Qura University organized the "Festival of Cultures and Peoples." The event served as a high-level platform for cultural exchange and the appreciation of diversity among students from various social and cultural backgrounds. Bringing together a broad spectrum of participants, the festival aimed to instill the values of coexistence and build bridges of cross-cultural understanding.
The event was organized and coordinated by the Deanship of Student Affairs, the Intellectual Awareness Unit, the Arabic Language Institute for Non-Native Speakers, and the Deanship of Admission and Registration. This initiative reflects the university’s commitment to supporting international students and enhancing their cultural and academic presence within the campus community.
In this context, the College of Administration and Economics, represented by the Department of Tourism and Hospitality, made an outstanding academic contribution by setting up several interactive pavilions representing the main regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These pavilions featured presentations, traditional attire, and authentic hospitality from various regions of the Kingdom, showcasing its historical, geographical, and cultural depth. They also highlighted Saudi Arabia's tourism potential, which serves as a cornerstone in achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the national economy.
Additionally, international students participated with pavilions showcasing their home cultures, fostering a rich learning environment that enhanced intercultural dialogue and highlighted the university’s global character. This engagement provided students with an opportunity to express their cultural identities within an interactive academic setting that encourages the exchange of experiences and fosters global awareness.
The participation of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality in this festival reflects its leading role in promoting awareness of national heritage and the hospitality industry. It also underscores its commitment to contributing to university initiatives that champion cultural openness and multidisciplinary academic dialogue.
