The University of Pretoria (UP) recently hosted its annual International Students' Day celebration, this year centred around the theme ‘Internationalisation: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers’. 

The event, held on UP’s Hatfield Campus, featured a lively mix of entertainment and displays of global cultures, creating a joyful atmosphere. The gathering served as a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity and global citizenship, encouraging attendees to engage with and support one another in building a more equitable world.

More than 4 000 international students from more than 100 countries proudly showcased their diverse heritage through captivating exhibits. They presented their cultures to a crowd of ambassadors, representatives from various nations, government officials, and members of the UP community.

“By fostering dialogue and understanding, the university seeks to inspire a sense of community that transcends borders and cultures,” said Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Francis Petersen. He joined a group of South African students in kicking off the exhibition with a vibrant parade celebrating the nation’s diverse heritage and cultures. “Our recent conquest over the COVID-19 pandemic is a true demonstration of the strength inherent in our collective determination to overcome any adversity. It is only when united as humanity that we will achieve our full potential. African wisdom tells us: ‘A pride of lions with no common purpose or divided is outrun by a limping antelope.’”

Prof Petersen added that UP is committed to positioning itself to the world as an institution deeply rooted in African values, with internationalisation as a fundamental aspect of this vision. “International Students' Day plays a vital role in our commitment to ‘Internationalisation at Home’, offering a platform for students to explore and share the diverse cultures, traditions, heritages, perspectives, and religions present within the university community.”

Click on the image below for more pictures from International Students' Day 2024

UP students at the International Students' Day Parade

In true UP spirit, the International Students’ Day 2024 competitions kicked off with flair, featuring Eritrea and Kenya taking home first and second place for Exhibitions. 

Phiwokuhle Cindzi from the Kingdom of Eswatini and Lilian-Lee Mumba from Zambia secured first and second place in the MX UPI and Fashion Show categories. Yizhong Liu from the Republic of China won first place for Poetry, while Molofane Khalechane and Reitumetse Nts'asa from Lesotho came in second. In the Cultural Song and Dance Groups, Japan and the Kingdom of Eswatini clinched first and second place, respectively.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our international students for choosing to study at UP; it is never an easy decision to leave one’s home to study in a different country,” Prof Petersen said. “Against the odds, we are here today, and your courage, determination and resilience are an inspiration to all of us. It is a great honour for us as the university to be entrusted with your future. We will always strive to make your experience at UP as rewarding and memorable as possible, and we are hopeful that the bonds formed during your stay at the university will endure. Thank you for making this university a truly global one.”

UP’s Head of International Cooperation, Setsipane Mokoduwe, encouraged the university community – students, staff, donors, and alumni both locally and worldwide – to keep pushing the boundaries of unity and inclusivity by "building bridges and breaking barriers”.

Click on the video below to watch the highlights from International Students' Day 2024