Professor’s goal to bring our community together
A UNIVERSITY of Southern Queensland professor wants to bridge the divide between the different cultural communities in Toowoomba.
Professor Talal Yusaf, who has two PhDs relating to renewable energy and is also the executive director of USQ International and Development, moved to Toowoomba in the early 2000s.
“There is a lot of development happening in Toowoomba, lots of man-power needed,” he said.
“A lot of the Syrian and Iraqi refugees have lots of skills. The problem is the language.
“If we help them learn the language that would be very useful.”
Prof Yusaf said Toowoomba was a multicultural success story.
“Toowoomba is full of different colours, from Asia, India, the Middle East,” he said.
Prof Yusaf was born in Iraq, spent one third of his life there, one third of his life in Malaysia and one third of his life so far in Toowoomba.
“Toowoomba gave my a lot, now it’s my time to pay back the Garden City,” he said.
“I work as a bridge to help them how to settle in Toowoomba, and how to help them understand our culture and our rules also.”
Prof Yusaf said his family helped people integrate by talking with them, helping with their needs, as well as educating them on how to adapt to life in Toowoomba.
“Integration is very important, whether you’re a kid or 60 years old,” he said.