Student mural celebrates diversity

Migrant and refugee students have transformed a corner of TAFE Queensland’s Grovely campus in a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity.

Led by artist and Syrian refugee Murhaf Obeid, the cohort of Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) students collaborated to design and paint a large-scale art mural on campus.

Mr Obeid—a former AMEP student himself—said, “The project is dedicated to diversity in Australia, so everyone thought of drawing something from their cultures.”

The colourful backdrop features flowers from the students’ home countries and furry visitors to the campus’s pet grooming clinic.

“I helped the students with their art techniques and organised their drawings so that they would fit together as a mural,” Mr Obeid said.

AMEP teacher Louise McKenna said the project deliberately ensured there was “something for everyone, from drawing and painting, to photography and writing.”

“Engaging all communicative skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening – was key to it being part of the students’ English classes,” Louise explained.

“As a bonus, we learned more about art from a wonderful artist and now have two beautiful walls that really complement the campus’s horticulture and animal grooming offerings.”

After arriving to Australia in 2016, Mr Obeid first completed the AMEP at TAFE Queensland before progressing into a Certificate III in Business (Medical Administration) (BSB30120) .

Mr Obeid recently became a qualified Arabic-English interpreter after completing TAFE Queensland’s Prerequisite Skills for NAATI Interpreting Exam Skill Set (SSPSP0001) course.

Despite leaving his homeland and facing the challenges of learning a new language in a new country, Mr Obeid shared his positive outlook with the students.

“Manage your goals, and you can achieve whatever you set your mind to,” he said.