The CASE Multi-Cultural Network aims to challenge Diversity, Equality and Inclusion issues in the Education Advancement sector (within the student body, staffing and governance). Throughout the year, this inclusive network also holds regular events and activities that showcase and celebrate the success of individuals to promote inclusivity and to inspire and engage its members.
The network is currently looking to recruit a new Co-Chair. This volunteer post will support the CASE Europe team and current Co-Chair, Deepthi de Silva-Williams, in shaping an Annual Plan of Events and Activities, as well as reinventing and raising the profile of the network.
Below, our current Co-Chair of the CASE Multi-Cultural Network, Deepthi de Silva-Williams, reflects on the network's purpose and its goals for the future.
"I joined CASE Multi-Cultural network when it was first mooted. I thought it was a brilliant idea and was especially excited to meet other people of colour in other institutions who worked in the same area.
Despite being the Head of Brand in a large ancient University for many years, I rarely met anyone like me. Let alone someone who worked in the same field. The network was one of the first steps in helping me find others like me. It helped foster a real sense of belonging for me in the HE sector.
The network also gave me the space to hear, learn and share experiences. It has been life-enriching on both a personal and professional level.
My personal aim is to help others find a person of colour to help them navigate through HE and to say –‘ I hear you; ‘I understand’, through this network.
Being co-chair has been an honour. I got to work with an incredible ball of energy – Mehrangez – who made me think in whole new exciting ways. We had plans to see this network grow and for more colleagues of colour to understand that you are not alone, especially in the jungle that is HE. Unfortunately, she has had to resign due to personal reasons.
I hope the new co-chair will share this aim and bring even more new aspirations.
Being a co-chair is an exciting role. You help plan and organise the year’s calendar of events/activities with CASE Europe colleagues support. You help find speakers or topics or activities that would be of interest or benefit to the network. There is never a dull moment! It does take up a little bit of time but it is hugely rewarding. This excellent opportunity would suit a passionate individual looking to develop global cultural skills."
Find out more about the CASE Multi-Cultural Network on our website.
Deepthi de Silva-Williams
Deepthi de Silva-Williams, Head of Brand at the University of Edinburgh, serves as Co-Chair of CASE Multi-Cultural Network.
"I have been in Edinburgh for over 20 years and have been a passionate advocate of equal rights for women all of my life. As a result, I have achieved in Edinburgh a yearly Woman’s Day lecture in March to an ongoing photographic exhibition and collection of both academic and professional services women. I also ensure there is always a gender balance in all marketing and recruitment materials.
I am also passionate about equality for people like myself, an ethnic minority in the UK. I want us to help and support each other. I believe we can do this on a number of levels. If I may, I’d like to bullet point my lived experience as I think it will be self-evident as to my interest and desire to seek equality or, at the very least, raise its profile.
- I studied here as an international student
- I am married to a white English man who now lives in Scotland
- I am an immigrant
- I have two boys who are obviously mixed race
- I was born in Singapore & grew up there, but my parents were from Sri Lanka and were immigrants in Singapore. We were always classed as ‘others’
- My in-laws & their families come from a long line of people who belonged to the days of the Empire and colonial times
- Worked in Edinburgh’s Race & Equality office as a volunteer then admin support before working at the University"