CQUniversity lecturer giving back as multicultural advocate in diverse outer Melbourne

Dr Ritesh Chugh is CQUniversity's discipline lead for Information Systems and Analysis, but it's human networks he's focusing on in his new role with the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC).

Dr Chugh has been appointed to the VMC's Regional Advisory Council for the North West Metropolitan Region, building on his long history of community building.

"Members of the council are not only strong advocates for our communities, but we inform the Commission on matters of multicultural affairs, settlement, service delivery and citizenship issues," Dr Chugh explained.

This voluntary role also involves community engagement and promoting the benefits of diversity, and Dr Chugh has plenty of experience with both.

Since 2015, he's been leading the Western Suburban Indian Languages (WSIL) group to lobby for Hindi language to be introduced by the Victorian School of Languages in the western fringes of Melbourne– an initiative that won him a "Lalor Hero Community Volunteer Award" from his local MP.

Dr Chugh has also moderated community safety information sessions for residents in Melbourne's western suburbs, and earlier this year he was appointed to the Wyndham City Council's Learning City Portfolio Committee.

Dr Chugh is proud that all his community work reflects CQUniversity values of engagement and giving back, and said his latest appointment will grow opportunities to promote CQUni.

"I am looking forward to being able to contribute to a range of different programs that will promote cultural diversity, inclusion and participation across different age groups and focus on educational advocacy efforts that bridge the gap between diverse cultures," Dr Chugh said.

"The best part is being able to represent CQUniversity at a much larger platform amongst different stakeholders and further enhance our engagement footprint."

At CQUniversity and previously, Dr Chugh's work in higher education has predominantly been with multicultural students and staff, giving him both domestic and global perspectives.

After moving to Australia from India in 2000, Dr Chugh settled with his family in Melbourne's north west in 2004 – home to a culturally diverse community of 1.67 million people, and 11 of Melbourne's 14 most disadvantaged municipalities.