Sudanese culture celebrated at special afternoon event
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Vice-Chancellor Gordon Marshall and Ambassador Mohammed Eltom
'The partnership will promote the exchange of excellence and ideas, academic materials and publications in construction management'
On Friday 1 July the University hosted a special event to give a flavour of Sudanese life, with support from the Sudan Embassy in London and the local Sudanese community. Visitors experienced Sudanese music, dancing and traditional dress, saw Sudanese artefacts and objects as well as viewed images that gave a feel for the country.
The event coincided with a project dedicated to improving the standard of the construction industry in the Sudan. A 2009 United Nations Millennium Development Goal report revealed that sub-Saharan Africa ‘remains the region with the highest prevalence of slums'.
The School of Construction Management welcomed colleagues from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Khartoum for a series of workshops and presentations. The week-long visit was part of a three-year project funded by the Department for International Development and administered by the British Council.
During the visit, Reading experts delivered various presentations covering international construction, construction of areas of conflict with reference to Southern Sudan and Darfur and sustainable social housing. Discussions also took place concerning the development of specialised undergraduate, postgraduate and CPD courses.
Professor Steve Mithen, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for International and External Engagement, said: "The principal aim of the Construction Management Project is to share knowledge and develop an open approach to the design and management of buildings and infrastructure. As well as developing courses, the partnership will promote the exchange of excellence and ideas, academic materials and publications in construction management, and host joint workshops and international conferences. "
To enhance the experience for the visitors the University organised trips to locations such as the London Olympic construction site. The guests also visited Reading's Greenlands Campus and enjoyed several social events to celebrate their visit and the burgeoning partnership.