Diverse voices, shared dreams

A recap of the 2025 multicultural festival

Monica Sumbi

May 30, 2025

The annual spring semester multicultural festival was held in March. This festival celebrates the various cultures and traditions of nationalities represented by the faculty, students, and staff in the CMU-Africa community.

This year's festival was rich in knowledge exchange, featuring a week-long gallery of posters that exhibited information about different cultures and testimonials through panel discussions on how to thrive in a multicultural environment. The event also included food sampling and proud representations of dress and music.

CMU-Africa prides itself on its community's pan-African diversity. The multicultural festival provides an opportunity for students to showcase their heritage and culture and exhibits the different technological innovations and advancements within the continent.

"The beauty of a peacock lies in the harmony of its vibrant colors—not in competition, but in perfect complement," said Minister of International Affairs and co-organizer, Baraka Manyara, (MSEAI '26) "As I watched the blend of cultures at the multicultural event, this image came to mind. Each country's culture did not clash but beautifully complemented the others, creating a rich, unified tapestry. It was a stunning reminder of the power of diversity. How beautiful is Africa!"

CMU-Africa is a regional ICT center of excellence dedicated to educating a diverse cohort of future leaders from across the continent. Firmly committed to admitting talented students from around Africa, CMU-Africa provides a hands-on, experiential education that equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to drive technological innovation and build businesses that contribute to Africa's digital transformation.

"The multicultural festival is a testament to the vibrant and diverse community we have at CMU-Africa," said Ines Manzi, associate director of student affairs. "It is heartwarming to see our students, faculty, and staff come together to celebrate and learn from each other's cultures. This event fosters a sense of unity and enriches our understanding of the world."