two colleagues from diverse backgrounds

CASE Europe Multi-Cultural Network

The CASE Europe Multi-Cultural Network was created in 2019 to challenge the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) issues in the Education Advancement sector with the aim to help diversify the sector, ensuring that talented individuals from all backgrounds are attracted and retained.

Aims and objectives:

  • The CASE Europe Multi-Cultural Network challenges the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion issues in the Education Advancement sector (within the student body, staffing and governance) – speaking openly and clearly about them.
  • This network aims to help diversify the sector, ensuring that talented individuals from all backgrounds are attracted and retained.
  • This is an inclusive network that supports individuals from multi-cultural backgrounds to progress into leadership positions. The network will showcase and celebrate the success of individuals to inspire and engage members and beyond, ensuring we promote positivity and achievable success.
  • The networks aim is to become a key influencer in shaping the conference and events agenda ensuring inclusivity and diversity is paramount.
     

Membership:

  • Membership of the Multi-Cultural Network is open to all CASE Europe members
  • Titles and range of duties will vary, but the members should be active in championing DEI within their organisation or involved in promoting Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at any level.
     

Terms of Reference:

Please refer to the CASE Europe Multi-Cultural Network terms of reference.

If you are interested in being part of the CASE Europe Multi-Cultural Network, please email Maeva Ofranc at [email protected].

Information from the network will be shared via CASE sharing tools and the CASE Multi-Cultural Network Community.

Headshot of Deepthi de Silva -Williams
2021 Network Co-Chair

Deepthi de Silva -Williams

Head of Brand , The University of Edinburgh

I am currently the Head of Brand at the University of Edinburgh. I have been in Edinburgh for over 20 years and have been a passionate advocate of equal rights for women all of my life. As a result, I have achieved in Edinburgh a yearly Woman’s Day lecture in March to an ongoing photographic exhibition and collection of both academic and professional services women. I also ensure there is always a gender balance in all marketing and recruitment materials.

I am also passionate about equality for people like myself, an ethnic minority in the UK. I want us to help and support each other. I believe we can do this on a number of levels. If I may, I’d like to bullet point my lived experience as I think it will be self-evident as to my interest and desire to seek equality or, at the very least, raise its profile.

  • I studied here as an international student
  • I am married to a white English man who now lives in Scotland
  • I am an immigrant
  • I have 2 boys who are obviously mixed race
  • I was born in Singapore & grew up there, but my parents were from Sri Lanka and were immigrants in Singapore. We were always classed as ‘others’
  • My in-laws & their families come from a long line of people who belonged to the days of the Empire and colonial times
  • Worked in Edinburgh’s Race & Equality office as a volunteer then admin support before working at the Uni