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The Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences actively promotes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) for all of our staff and students. To this end, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sub-committee was established under the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) Programme Committee in August 2022 to assist the BVM Programme Committee and BVM Executive Team in:
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If any of our staff or students have concerns or questions related to DEI matters, please feel free to contact Dr. McElligott as Chair, or other members of the committee. Any correspondence that we receive will be treated as strictly confidential.
Constitution
The DEI Sub-committee composition will include at least 8 members from diverse communities:
- 4 members nominated by the Dean, 4 members nominated by the Associate Dean & Director of Veterinary Affairs
- The number of male and female members will as near as possible to equal
- There will be at least one undergraduate student representative
- Attending scheduled meetings as often as possible
- Wholeheartedly championing inclusivity related to within JCC DEI activities
- Self-reflection and awareness, to ensure that the Committee itself is representative and inclusive
Membership list
| Chair: | Dr. Alan McELLIGOTT, Associate Professor (PH) |
| Members: | Prof. Vanessa BARRS, Dean (JCC) |
| Dr. Pawel BECZKOWSKI, Assistant Dean and Director of Veterinary Affairs of the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences (JCC) | |
| Dr. Wenlong CAI, Assistant Professor (PH) | |
| Dr. Kwan Ting, CHOW, Assistant Professor (BMS) | |
| Mr. Khizar HAYAT, Early Career Researcher Representative | |
| Dr. Cherry LEE, Scientific Officer (JCC) | |
| Mr. Darrian LEUNG, BVM student | |
| Dr. Rebecca PARKES, Assistant Professor (VCS) | |
| Prof. Olivier SPARAGANO, Professor (PH) | |
| Ms. Devika SURESH, BVM student |
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| Left = Equality, everyone has been provided with a box to see over the barrier. Middle = Equity, boxes have been provided based on need. Right = Inclusion, looking at how to change the environment and remove all barriers |
| Reference Valbrun, V. (2017) Equity vs. Equality: Eliminating Opportunity Gaps in Education. http://www.theinclusionsolution.me/equity-vs-equality-eliminating-opportunity-gaps-education/ |
| Year | Meeting | Date | Minutes |
| 2022 | 1st | 6 October 2022 | JCC BVM DEI Meeting 1 Minutes |
| 2022 | 2nd | 20 December 2022 | JCC BVM DEI Meeting 2 Minutes |
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Veterinary Education
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LGBT+
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Expert Educators Seminar Series (EESS)
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Staff Talk: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Its Impact on Interpersonal RelationshipsDate: 19 April 2023 (Wednesday) |
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Public Lecture: Queer Data - Who's Counts?(The University of Hong Kong)Date: 19 April 2023 |
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Why Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Matters to JCC Vet Medicine SeminarDate: 29 March 2023 |
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Pakistan NightDate: 31 January 2023 |
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IDEA Campaign 2023: Embracing DiversityDate: 31 January - 3 February 2023 |
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LGBT+: Sharing Our Stories Workshop
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External Events |
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Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Summit Date: 1 February 2023 (Wed) |
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Gay Games 11The world's largest inclusive sports, arts & culture event Date: 3-11 November, 2023 |
The Origins and Importance of PRIDE month
June is celebrated as PRIDE Month in many parts of the world, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. It is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, their achievements, and struggles. The origins of PRIDE Month can be traced back to the Stonewall riots of 1969 in New York City. At that time, it was illegal to engage in same-sex relationships, and LGBTQ+ individuals faced discrimination and harassment. On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village, and attempted to arrest its patrons. This triggered a series of protests and demonstrations, which continued for several days, as members of the LGBTQ+ community stood up against police brutality and demanded equal rights.
The Stonewall riots are considered a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and marked the beginning of the fight for equality for LGBTQ+ individuals. In the years following the Stonewall riots, LGBTQ+ individuals and allies began organizing marches and parades to commemorate the events of 1969 and raise awareness of LGBTQ+ rights issues.
The first PRIDE march was held in New York City in June 1970, and similar events took place in other cities across the United States. Over time, PRIDE events have become more inclusive, and today they often feature a diverse range of LGBTQ+ individuals, including those who are transgender, non-binary, queer, and questioning.
PRIDE Month is important because it provides a platform for the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate their identity and raise awareness of the challenges they face. It is a time to recognize the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals to society and to call attention to the ongoing struggle for equal rights.
In recent years, PRIDE Month has taken on a global significance, with events taking place in countries around the world. It has become an important symbol of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and an opportunity for individuals and organizations to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community.
In conclusion, PRIDE Month has its origins in the Stonewall riots of 1969, and it is now celebrated as a time to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. It is an important reminder of the progress that has been made in the fight for equality and the ongoing work that still needs to be done.
Hong Kong PRIDE parade is usually held in November each year. https://hkpride.net/
Ramadan - A month of Blessings and Compassion
Syed Saad Ul Hassan Bukhari and Khizar Hayat
Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong
Background:
Muslims all over celebrate the arrival of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is also regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. All Muslims over 12 are expected to fast from dawn to sunset this month except for those who have some physiological or pathological condition in which fasting may impair their health further. The dates of Ramadan change with the phases of the moon. It commences with the new crescent moon and ends with the completion of a lunar cycle phase.
Religious Practices:
On a typical Ramadan day, Muslims start their day early to eat a pre-fast meal called suhoor before dawn. During the day, Muslims are prohibited from consuming any food or drinks. Depending on the location and season, people in certain regions need to fast for as long as 20 hours.
After sunset, families break their fasts with an evening meal called iftar by eating dates (or something sweet as per the sunnah of Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW) and drinking water. From traditional cultural foods to special delicacies, Muslims celebrate the end of a long day of fast with large gatherings of family and friends. In fact, a common practice is sharing iftars with other underprivileged community members. In some communities, regular free iftar meals are hosted for the homeless on every night of Ramadan.
Reasons for Fasting:
For Muslims, fasting is an act of worship resulting in God-consciousness development. The spiritual rewards are also known to be multiplied during this month as Muslims need to exercise self-discipline and restraint. Furthermore, it allows Muslims to nurture compassion for the needy and become more grateful for every blessing bestowed upon us. Muslims often donate to Islamic charities and read the Qu’ran (Holy book) as a form of their reverence to the religion.
End of Ramadan:
Upon the completion of Ramadan, Muslims globally celebrate Eid ul-Fitr or Festival of Breaking the Fast. On this day, Muslims wake up early and dress in their best attire to attend the congressional Eid prayers. The rest of the day is spent with family and friends while consuming good food and giving gifts to loved ones.
Ramadan for 2023 starts on the evening of Wednesday, March 22nd, lasts for 30 days and ends at sundown on Thursday, April 20.
Chinese lunar new year is one of the most important festivals for Asian countries. It is the first day of the new year according to lunar calendar (a calendar based on the monthly cycles of the Moon's phases), thus the dates would be different each year, compared to the static dates on the solar calendar. This year, the CNY begins on 22 January 2023, and the celebrations last for around two weeks usually. This is a time for family reunions, visiting relatives and friends and exchanging greetings for the coming New Year. CNY also marks the transition between the zodiac signs. Eating traditional rice cakes represents a wish to be successful and 'higher' (a homophone of 高). Elders give red envelopes (Lai see) with money inside, known as 'lucky money', to children as a blessing of passing a year of good fortune. For 2023, it’s the Year of the Rabbit! |
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People across the world celebrate it differently depending on the region, and there are so many traditional things to do during CNY. Much of Chinese New Year is about Unity and Harmony, so it’s the perfect time for family reunions. Family members may have travelled long distances to return home for their New Year’s Eve reunion dinner. Spring Festival gala is a popular show for people to watch, which is broadcasted by CCTV from 8 pm on new year’s eve until 2 am of the next day. In the north, people will eat dumplings with all of their immediate families for the first day of the year, while people in the south will usually eat traditional rice cakes, which represent a wish to be successful and ‘higher’ (a homophone of 高). Houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with red paper with words for good fortune and luck. Elders give red envelopes with money inside, known as ‘lucky money’, to children as a blessing of passing a year of good fortune. In Hong Kong, it is commonly known as Lai See, and given not only to children, but also those who provide service. It is another way to wish another good fortune in the new year. |
Here in Hong Kong, shops and supermarkets stock all kinds of Chinese delicacies, e.g. sweetmeats, melon seeds and packets of specialties such as groundnuts which the Chinese must obtain and store up for the festival. Little orange trees are seen everywhere, and are meant to bring good luck. Homes are spruced up, new cushions and carpets are bought to give the home a new look. With the approach of the lunar new year, we would like to use this opportunity to wish you all a happy lunar new year and make good progress in the speed of “rabbit”! |
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For more information on Lunar Chinese New Year please visit: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/uk/explore/culture/how-locals-celebrate-chinese-new-year-in-hong-kong.html |
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