Multicultural Expo 2024: My Australia Story
Dates
Saturday 16 November | 11.30am, 12.30pm & 1.30pm
Included in General Admission | Drop-in
Venue
Level 3
Chaired by Associate Professor Maggie Jiang (UWA School of Social Sciences)
Site access information
WA Museum Boola Bardip is fully accessible. Call 1300 134 081 for assistance. Accessible resources and programs >
For many people from diverse cultural backgrounds, the challenges of building a successful career in Australia can seem daunting, and perhaps insurmountable.
Is "working hard and being passionate" enough to help you find your dream job in a new country? New life, new path, new beginning… how can you achieve success in your career?
These 30-minute sessions, chaired by Associate Professor Maggie Jiang from the UWA School of Social Sciences, promise to provide invaluable insights into achieving professional fulfilment in Australia.
My Australia Story
My Australia Story is a face-to-face conversation series that provides a platform for remarkable first-generation immigrants to share their life and work experiences with the public. Initiated by Associate Professor Maggie Jiang at the School of Social Sciences at the University of Western Australia, this initiative is proudly hosted by WA Museum Boola Bardip.
This event is part of Multicultural Expo 2024 and is proudly supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Office of Multicultural Interests.
Meet the Speakers
Nilesh Makwana is an Indian-Australian social impact entrepreneur and co-founder of illuminance Solutions, an award-winning tech firm recognised for its diversity. He also founded West Tech Assemblage, an event fostering collaboration among tech leaders in Western Australia and co-founded Borderless Gandhi to promote peace and equality through art. Nilesh is dedicated to closing the digital literacy gap for marginalised communities. His book, Terminal 4, chronicles his journey from childhood in India to his entrepreneurial success in Australia.
Born in Singapore and migrated to Australia in 1995, Sandy is a businessperson, philanthropist, mentor and educator. Known as a changemaker amongst those she connects with, Sandy has helped individuals, firms and communities transform, grow and elevate. Recipient of numerous awards and honours, including Asia’s Top Sustainability Woman of the Year Award, Executive of the Year for US Stevie International Business Award and Australia Community Citizen of the Year in 2020. She is passionate about making a difference, believes that human talent is expansive and is driven by making meaningful impact and through lifelong learning.
1.30pm-2pm | Dr Parwinder Kaur
Dr Parwinder Kaur is a proud Indian-Australian award-winning scientist and a passionate leader. As the Director and founder of DNA Zoo she leads cross-disciplinary biotechnology research investigating Earth’s biodiversity and natural environments to ensure sustainable futures. . Recipient of numerous awards and honours, including Science and Innovation Award" from the Australian Academy of Sciences in 2013, Microsoft's AI for Earth award in 2019, the esteemed Australian Sikh Woman of the Year for Excellence in 2023. She has also been inducted into the WA Women Hall of Fame in 2023. Through her diverse research teams, such as DNA Zoo Australia, she harnesses STEM to achieve maximised impact. In doing so, she believes this will help us tackle the bigger issues society are facing, bringing about solutions through fresh thinking rather than following usual norms.
