Year 11 and 12 Study of Religion students from Catholic colleges across the Rockhampton region recently took part in The University of Queensland’s World Religions Experience Day.
Emmaus College was privileged to host the event this year, allowing our regional students from the Diocese to hear from experts in the field.
Led by leading academics from UQ, students took part in interactive workshops exploring Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism.
Head of Faculty, Religious Education at Emmaus College Linda Mckenzie said it was a great opportunity for students to ask the deep questions and foster a rich understanding of diverse global traditions without having to travel far.
“Events like this help bring the classroom to life.
“Our students were able to engage directly with university academics, explore different belief systems in an authentic way, and gain insights that will support both their studies and their personal growth,” Ms McKenzie said.
Year 12 Study of Religion student Mia explained that her favourite part of the day was the session on the Sabbath, led by Dr James Lancaster.
“We explored different interpretations of God within space and time, including Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s understanding of the Sabbath in the modern world.
“I found it really interesting to learn how Heschel encouraged people to see time as something sacred and valuable, rather than focusing solely on material things,” she said.
Senior Lecturer and Director of Teaching and Learning in UQ’s School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry Dr Ryan Williams highlighted the importance of religious studies in today's world.
“Religion is really misunderstood today, as are many of the skills we teach in the Bachelor of Arts, including empathy and critical thinking.
“These qualities are critical to society today and help students better understand both themselves and the world around them,” he said.
UQ staff also spoke to students about The University of Queensland's Bachelor of Arts, highlighting how Religious Studies develops critical thinking and communication skills while exploring the impact of religion on societies and cultures.
The session helped students connect their current studies to future university pathways.
Each year, UQ’s Religious Studies team hosts the dynamic and thought-provoking World Religions Experience Day - an outreach initiative designed to inspire and engage senior high school students.
This is the third year the event has toured up north before running at UQ for 2 consecutive days of immersive learning.
Anyone interested in learning more about this event and how you might become involved in future student recruitment events, please reach out to HASS Engagement.
