SOUTHERN Cross University's Fusion Festival, which celebrates the coming together of cultures and communities, wrapped up with a bang today.

Actually, quite a few bangs were produced by the members of the 'Baala Baajo' African Drum & Dance group which headlined the final day's performances at the university's Tweed campus.

Head of Gold Coast campus Professor Kathleen Fahy said the event was an important festival which aimed to promote cultural inclusion.

It was important to make sure the overseas students had a really good experience and were part of a university that valued their cultures.

Professor Fahy said some overseas students never challenged authority and would hardly ever speak out about their wants and needs.

However, with the right approach and some encouragements, the foreign students did open up and tell her what they expected and which experiences they wanted.

The festival was both a tool to achieve the cultural understanding the university hoped to promote as well as a demonstration of the achievements which were already accomplished.

The festival's final day included performances by the Gold Coast Sian's Zumba Dance Team, the Gold Coast Indonesian Dance Group, the Mai no Kai Japanese Dance group and the Bundjalung Kunjiel Aboriginal Dance group.

Guests also had the opportunity to sample some international foods such as Chinese, Indian, Thai, Japanese and the ever popular Italian pizza.