KU News Release

KU student organization hosts 55th annual International Awareness Week

LAWRENCE — To share their cultures with the University of Kansas and Lawrence communities, KU’s International Student Association is hosting its major event of the year, a series of special events through April 6.

The activities are part of the 55th annual International Awareness Week. All events are free and open to the public.

Taner Edis, associate professor of physics at Truman State University and author of “An Illusion of Harmony: Science and Religion in Islam,” will speak on “The Creation/Evolution Debate in the Muslim World” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, at Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union. A book signing will follow in the traditions area on the fourth floor. For more information, contact Javier de Palacios, assistant cultural chair, at (785) 770-3884.

On Friday, April 6, the World Expo, considered the largest international student event of the year, will be held from noon to 4:30 p.m. in the Kansas Union ballroom. Among visitors who plan to attend are about 350 area elementary and high school students, according to Michael Ediger, associate director of KU International Student and Scholar Services.

Displayed in the ballroom will be flags representing the 112 countries of the 1,579 international students currently enrolled at KU. KU students from about 45 countries will be staffing and exhibiting items that showcase the culture and geography of their countries as well as answering visitors’ questions. Among countries represented in displays will be Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, China, Cyprus, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tobago, Togo, Trinidad, Turkey, Uganda, Venezuela and Vietnam.

At 7 p.m. April 6 in Woodruff Auditorium there will be live performances in vocal and instrumental music, skits, dances and films as part of the Festival of Nations event.

For information about the World Expo, contact Lala Musayeva, cultural chair, at (913) 908-0363. For the Festival of Nations, contact Julio Castillo Rodriguez, vice president, at (785) 550-2413.

Other International Awareness Week events include:

— A fashion show, featuring international students in native and traditional costumes, and a language fair with Student Union Activities will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, on the fourth floor of the Kansas Union. As part of this event, students will demonstrate examples of their written and spoken native languages. For additional information, contact Fatemeh Morshedzadeh, president, at (785) 312-4797.
— An International Culture Quiz Show, with prizes for correct answers to questions about culture, geography and politics of countries around the world, will be a single-elimination contest from 7-9 p.m. in the English and Centennial rooms of the Kansas Union. To enter the contest or for more information, contact Javier de Palacios, assistant cultural chair, at (785) 770-3884.
— Soccer matches will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at Shenk Sports Complex, with trophies to be awarded for first and second place. To enter or for more information, contact Lachit Patel, assistant social chair, at (785) 523-5733.

The International Student Association has been a KU organization for more than 50 years. As a nonpolitical, nonreligious organization, it was created to foster, promote and support awareness of the international student community at KU while providing opportunities for social activities and cultural exchange.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.