6 September 1994 Milestone Year for Lincoln International Nights

Twenty years of International Nights organised by Lincoln's overseas students will be marked at the University on Saturday 17 September.

This year International Night will be held against a background of the University having its biggest ever enrolment of overseas students - more than 520, comprising 15 percent of the total roll - and its broadest ever representation, 48 different countries.

International Night, organised by the University's International Club and sponsored by University World Travel, will comprise an "expo" style cultural exhibition, a dinner of international dishes, a cultural concert and a dance.

"The exhibition will feature kiosks of artifacts, crafts, posters, books and general information on each country and students dressed in traditional attire will host these," says International Night Publicity Officer Riaz Buksh, a Bachelor of Commerce and Management student from Fiji.

"That starts at 4pm then at 7.30 there is a three-course meal which this year includes menu items from Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. "After dinner the students present a mosaic of entertainment in the form of a concert, then a dance will round off the evening.

"International Night is regarded as the 'Event of the Year' at Lincoln University and has attracted sell-out crowds in the past. We anticipate similar enthusiasm this year, especially as it's the 20th anniversary occasion."

All events are held in the Student Union Building, and the cultural exhibition will open again on the Sunday, 18 September, from 10am - 1pm. It is hoped that families and groups of school pupils will visit the exhibition during that occasion and admission will be free.

For further information on International Night '94 plus ticket purchases the contacts are Lincoln University 's International Centre telephone 3253-826 (office hours) or Riaz Buksh telephone 342-9641 (after hours).

International Night will be the social highpoint of an International Week on campus which runs from 12-17 September. The week itself will feature an international film festival and an international food festival along with other activities reflecting the University's ethnic and cultural mix. It will be opened on 12 September by Mr Tuc Waaka, South Island Manager of the Office of the Race Relations Conciliator.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.