Hello,
I'm Asmara Riaz, a career counselor at SIMHE (Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education) at the University of Helsinki. My role involves closely working with individuals from international backgrounds, providing guidance for career planning and creating awareness about the Finnish labor market. I joined this position in March 2022 after completing my Masters in Social Sciences in Finland. Originating from Pakistan, I initially came to Finland in 2012 for my first Masters in Business Administration, followed by eight years of work in the telecommunications sector.
Throughout my studies in Finland, I've been actively involved in various roles with Finnish NGOs, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in multicultural environments. Additionally, I work as an intercultural competence trainer, feeling that this area deserves more attention not only in Finland but also across Europe. Participating in Una Europa Staff Training Week was motivated by my curiosity about how other countries, with different immigration histories, address these topics.
The Staff Week experience was eye-opening, especially listening to speakers like Prof. Massimiliano Tarozzi and learning about the services provided for refugees in Bologna. Discussions on language-related policies for non-native Italian-speaking students were insightful, given the strict policies at the University of Helsinki for Finnish degree programs. I enjoyed the diversity management lecture by Elena Luppi and the impactful speech by Sarah Diedro Jordao. Beyond these moments, interacting with colleagues from across Europe was the most enjoyable.
Discovering the challenges faced by universities in terms of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) was enlightening. The commonalities, such as resource limitations, lack of ownership, systematic processes, and representation gaps, were shared across universities. It was heartening to witness the commitment of universities to bring about positive societal change and not merely be spectators.
Reflecting on the Una Europa Staff Training Week, I'd like to mention the lasting memory of the freshest pasta I had in Bologna—an experience I dedicate to this incredible staff week.