One of Griffith University’s senior lecturers has won a prestigious Queensland Day Award during the 2017 annual celebrations.
Dr Tapan Sarker, from the Department of International Business and Asian Studies in Griffith Business School, was awarded the honour by the Minister for Innovation, Science and Digital Economy, Hon Leeanne Enoch MP at an event on June 10.
Dr Sarker was recognised for his contribution to community works including organising fundraising events for local schools, participating in a community tree planting program and organising multicultural events to promote social inclusiveness and cultural heritage of South Asian communities living in Brisbane.
Dr Sarker says he was honoured to receive such a commendation. “I am so excited to win the prestigious Queensland Day Award 2017,” he says. “I would like to thank Griffith Business School for all the support that I have received so far in furthering my civic duty and to help the broader community.
He continues: “Receiving this award is such an amazing honour, and I hope to represent Griffith and continue my community work in the years to come. ”
The award was presented at an event called Many Cultures One Community, held at Col Bennett Park in Algester. It was a special celebration of Queensland Day that included stalls, food and performances alongside the ceremony.
During the presentation, the Minister praised Dr Sarker’s initiatives promoting Queensland in Asia, as well as his involvement in a high school program that was successfully piloted during the G20 in 2014. The program saw students undertaking a series of G20-related discussions and debated in a graduate level course on the Politics of the Global Economy.
“As an academic institution we have a role to play in the community and the G20Leaders Summit in Brisbane presented a great platform for Griffith to discuss and debate contemporary topics through interactive learning,” he says of the program.
“It is important that students grow into future leaders whose beliefs are backed by informed discussion and debate. Therefore, they were exposed to facts, figures and conflicting opinions.”
This innovative learning model was featured on both SBS and the ABC and involved four Brisbane high schools.