Ekta means unity, togetherness, and solidarity.
Unity, together and solidarity can only happen in a community through mutual understanding, engagement, and empathy. The goal of the Ekta podcast is to foster that understanding by providing a platform for UFV students to voice their experiences, their languages, and their advice to faculty and staff. From amazing experiences of diversity and connection, to stories of racism, isolation, and financial hardship, these students honor us with their truths.
Each podcast features incredible students with diverse talents and strategies for making the most of their experiences. Their stories inspire us to think about the circumstances that drive and prevent student engagement in UFV classes and services.
Each podcast is accompanied by a pdf that contains background information about students’ cultures, countries, and situations as well as guidance for implementing the incredible suggestions they have for making UFV classes and services more inclusive.
The word ‘Ekta’ (pronounced ‘ay-k-ta’) comes from Sanskrit, one of the mother languages of many of our living languages today. It is a word that exists in Pubjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati, Assamese, Malayam, Telugu, Tamil, Sindhi, and Kannada. It also exists in Icelandic, with the meaning “authenticity” and Marathi, with the meaning “one.”