A course teaching students and staff more about each other’s faiths is highlighted by The Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Brunel’s Global Faith Awareness Course is flagged up by the international network as a model example of how universities can help turn out well rounded global citizens.
A speaker from each of the major world faiths talks to students and staff over two seven-week courses, running since last year at The Meeting House. And it is a model other universities have copied, with replica courses at Imperial College and UCL and enquiries from many more institutions.
“It’s one way Brunel is ground-breaking,” said Brunel Chaplain, Rev Sally Hitchiner, who developed and leads the course.
“The idea is to give people better awareness of each other’s faiths and nurture mutual understanding and respect. It’s especially relevant here at Brunel where there’s a high proportion of international students and staff. But the course is relevant to anyone planning future that would benefit from understanding how different people see the world.”
The lunchtime courses are in high demand with the 2018 student course maxed out on numbers at 45 with 15 students on the waiting list, while the staff course starts next term. Students who take part in all the sessions also earn 70 Brunel+ points which can count in their degree.
Reported by:
Hayley Jarvis,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268176
Hayley.jarvis@brunel.ac.uk