Our very own Cultural Collection celebrating Vietnamese culture and traditions created for children’s education has been given a prestigious international award.
In partnership with a local gallery and its Vietnamese parent community, the School has received one of the most prestigious school awards and topped the category from CASE (The Council for Advancement and Support of Education). The CASE annual awards acknowledge accomplishments that have lasting impact, demonstrate the highest level of professionalism, and deliver exceptional results.
UNIS Philanthropy team Emma Silva and Hà Đinh received the prestigious certificate from CASE CEO Sue Cunningham and CASE AP Director Heather Hamilton in Melbourne
Our Cultural Collection was created as a rich learning resource for our students and community to explore Vietnam’s extraordinary cultural heritage in the heart of our School campus. The museum style project which provides a unique educational resource for both international students and local schools exploring the traditions of Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups, was especially recognised for engaging the community at the official awards ceremony in Melbourne, Australia, this week.
The UNIS Cultural Collection was the vision of the founders of the Hanoi based 54 Traditions Gallery, Ms Nhung Nguyen, who is also a parent at UNIS Hanoi, and Dr Mark Rapoport who donated more than 200 artefacts to the school for the educational community project. With the support of the Lam Huyen family, UNIS Hanoi has created both an on-campus ‘museum’ to be shared with the Hanoi community and an online version for a global audience.
L-R Emma Silva – Director of Advancement, Dr Mark Rapoport – Donor, Nhung Nguyen – Donor, Huong Tran – Philanthropy Projects and Events Officer, Ha Dinh – Philanthropy Manager
The Cultural Collection houses 204 artefacts from a neolithic firestone (2500 BC) to 20th century art and focuses on 13 of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups and their heritage through a wide range of both everyday tools and practical objects to beautiful ceremonial jewellery, clothing and religious art.
Founder Ms Nhung Nguyen, who opens her new gallery in 44 Hang Bun this month said: “As a parent initiating the first idea of wanting to introduce Vietnamese culture on UNIS campus, I’m so touched and inspired by a strong engagement and commitment from other community members who join the journey with the School in making this one-of-a-kind on-campus museum possible. Seeing the collection becoming a truly meaningful learning resource and internationally recognised with this award, I more believe in the power of philanthropy for education, especially when the vision for a project is shared and amplified by others.“
And Head of School, Ms Jane McGee expressed her gratitude to the visionary donors for their contribution to education: “The legacy that this exhibition provides, not only for our students, but for local children and teachers too is invaluable. The generosity of our community to support a vision and make it happen through philanthropic donations is a testament to the value that we place on investment in our children’s futures.”
You can visit the online UNIS Cultural Collection today: https://unisculturalcollection.omeka.net/