Supporting our East and Southeast Asian students and staff
As a truly global university with campuses in the UK, China and Malaysia, the University of Nottingham is proud to welcome many thousands of East and Southeast Asian members to our diverse community of staff and students.
We have a distinguished history of defending human rights and promoting equality and justice in our learning, teaching and research. We are committed to tackling hate crime and to providing a welcoming and supportive community for our staff, students and visitors. We stand against racism in all its forms and condemn all acts of discrimination and violence in the strongest possible terms.
Our home city of Nottingham is a safe and welcoming place and the Nottinghamshire Police service is a pioneer in tackling racism and hate crime. The university works closely with local authorities, community groups and police to provide support and information for international students to help them settle and enjoy the many educational, cultural and social activities the city has to offer.
The University and city of Nottingham provide a bridge between the UK, East and Southeast Asia, enjoying a sister city relationship with our friends and colleagues in Ningbo, China and Semenyih, Malaysia to innovate, educate, celebrate and grow together.
For further information on our extensive work to tackle racism and ensure equality, diversity and inclusion across our campuses, please go to the university’s equality, diversity and inclusion webpages.
Covid-19 and racism
The Covid-19 pandemic has presented many challenges to communities at home and overseas and we are appalled by any racially-motivated attacks that target East and Southeast Asian people in the UK and worldwide.
We have therefore committed to consider additional steps within our Race Equality Charter action plan to support and protect our East and Southeast Asian students and staff including:
- work in partnership with East and Southeast Asian colleagues to develop additional festivals and events to celebrate the many cultures and contributions that East and Southeast Asian people make to our University and city;
- dedicated training for university staff to enable them to support and intervene decisively were East and Southeast Asian students to experience racism;
- customised and culturally sensitive support, counselling, psychotherapy and investigation for East and Southeast Asian staff and students if they were to experience racism;
- a renewed partnership for action to tackle hate crime with the city council, university partners, Nottinghamshire Police and the city Police & Crime Commissioner.
Report and Support
The University of Nottingham is committed to ensuring we do everything we can to provide a safe and supportive environment for everyone. Our campuses are a pleasant and inclusive place to study and work but, as with any community, issues can arise.
If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed an incident, you can tell us anonymously or ask to speak with an advisor – just go to Report and Support. Speaking to an advisor does not mean that you are making a formal report to the university, but it will enable you to access the support you need to make an informed decision.
Students can also get support from your tutors, dedicated student support officers, and the Student’s Union. Staff can also speak with their line manager or another senior manager who they trust in the first instance. Human Resources also have specialist Dignity Advisors who can help you.