July 09, 2026 The Update is a regular roundup of news in the Department of Asian Studies for our students, faculty and staff. |
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Top Stories • Publications • Upcoming Events • Event Recap • Asian Library News • Opportunities • On & Off-Campus Events |
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Congratulations to Dr. Hessam Dehghani on Promotion to Associate Professor We're proud to announce that Dr. Hessam Dehghani has been promoted to Associate Professor, effective July 1! Dr. Dehghani has led the Persian Language Program since 2021 and has been committed to curriculum innovation and community-building initiatives. He founded the Persian Literature Reading Club, offers weekly reading sessions and monthly talks to foster a deeper understanding of Persian literature and culture for both UBC students and the greater Persian-speaking community. |
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| PUBLICATIONS |
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Introduction to the Nepali Language: A free open access learning resource Congratulations to our Nepali instructor, Binod Shrestha and associate faculty member, Dr. Mark Turin on the launch of "Introduction to the Nepali Language", a free Open Educational Resource (OER), in collaboration with Salina Dolmo Lama, a Nepali graduate student at UBC! The textbook recognises the changing context of Nepali learning for learners, educators, community organizations and heritage speakers, providing structure and accessibility. As a living resource, the textbook will continue to be revised, expanded and corrected over time based on feedback from users. Back to top |
| UPCOMING EVENTS | ||||||
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Bridging Heritage and Innovation: UBC Language Cantonese Program at the 2026 Vancouver Hong Kong Fair This past May, the Cantonese Language Program engaged with tens of thousands of visitors at the 2026 Vancouver Hong Kong Fair through roundtable discussions and merchandise sale. The annual celebration stands as the largest Hong Kong-themed festival in North America, dedicated to preserving heritage and fostering connections within the diaspora. Back to top |
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New Books at the Asian Library Explore all the new titles that were added to the Asian Library collections last month and are available now. |
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Rice: Far More than a Simple Grain This summer, the Asian Library is featuring a range of Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean and Punjabi materials on the topic of rice. Books, films and media cover topics such as cooking, agriculture, food habits, cultural practices, festivals and ceremonial traditions. This selection reflects the many ways rice is woven into the languages, cultures and communities of Asia. Check them out at the displays in the basement or upper floor of the Asian Library this summer. Back to top |
| OPPORTUNITIES |
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Call for Volunteers: 50th Annual Powell Street Festival The Powell Street Festival is a celebration of Japanese Canadian arts and culture, taking place this year on August 1-2 at Oppenheimer Park. Volunteers can contribute in a variety of positions, from artist hospitality, set-up/take-down, photography/videography, traffic coordinator, and more. Upon completion of a 4-hour shift, volunteers will receive a $10 voucher that can be redeemed at any of food/community/marketplace booths. Register as soon as possible. Call for Papers: Society for Novel Studies Biennial Conference 2027 The Society for Novel Studies is hosting its biennial conference in May 2027. The conference’s theme, Novel Geographies, traces the varied traditions of the novel as a form that has migrated and morphed across different geographical, cultural, and linguistic sites. How have new novelistic forms emerged in and been shaped by their different milieus? Individual and Panel proposals are due by November 15. Apply for the 2026 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund The Community Engagement Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund provides up to $1,500 to support collaborative initiatives between community organizations and UBC faculty, staff, and students. The fund helps fill small resource gaps that enable reciprocal, community-engaged projects such as research, experiential learning, workshops, educational programming, and policy development. Deadline for applications is December 31 or until available funds are exhausted. Back to top |
| ON & OFF-CAMPUS EVENTS |
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July 9 - 19 Until July 19 Kids’ Story Time at UBC Bookstore July 25 July 29 Until November 28 Back to top |
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