March 12, 2019 The Update is a bi-weekly roundup of news in the Department of Asian Studies for our Students, Faculty and Staff |
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Why is Punjabi Studies important at UBC? At the University of British Columbia, the Punjabi language occupies a central place in our South Asia program, and represents one of the largest and longest-standing Punjabi-language programs in the world, outside of South Asia. In this video, hear from students why Punjabi Studies has been integral to their experience at UBC. |
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Featured 2019 Summer Courses |
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Video and Photos: The 2019 Asian Studies Careers Night Over 70 students and 16 alumni attended this year’s packed event on March 5th at the UBC Alumni Centre. Students had the opportunity to meet with multiple alumni, ask questions, and make connections that we hope will last long after this event. We'd like to give our most sincere thanks to all students, staff, faculty, and alumni who made this event a night to remember. |
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Photos: 2019 UBC Lunar New Year Celebration On February 8th, the Chinese Language program welcomed the Year of the Pig at their 2019 Lunar New Year Celebration. Students, teachers and other curious participants gathered at the Nest to explore Chinese and Korean cultures through engaging cultural activities and entertainment. As the day went on, the Nest radiated with enthusiasm and excitement, and proved to be a memorable event for everyone. Thanks to all the staff, volunteers, and participants that made this event such a success. |
| OPPORTUNITIES |
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Give Your Feedback on the Future of Bike Share at UBC UBC needs your help to envision the future of bike share on our campus. Dropbike is currently operating a 1-year pilot program and we want to hear what you think of the program so far. Since August 2018, more than 5,000 people have signed up for Dropbike with 25,000 rides taken around campus. Campus and Community Planning is seeking your input to make the future of bike share on campus work even better. Fill in the survey by March 14 for a chance to win a bike helmet. UBC Learning Analytics Project Survey The Learning Analytics Project at UBC is interested in developing data-driven tools for students and are looking for your feedback on which tools you would like to see to help your learning. Complete this 5 minute survey to introduce you to some potential tools and collect your feedback, as well as a chance to win a $50 UBC gift card. For inquires questions, please contact brianne.lee@ubc.ca. A drop-in consultation session to learn more about the project and provide feedback on the tools currently being developed will be held March 14th from 12-2 PM in BUCH B316. Modern Language Association Forum in Pre-14th Century Chinese Literature: Call For Papers The Modern Language Association Forum in Pre-14th Century Chinese Literature welcomes submissions for two panels. For those interested in contributing to the panel "What Is (Chinese) Poetry?", please send abstracts to Jack Chen (jwc8v@virginia.edu) no later than March 15. For those interested in contributing to the panel "Posthumanism and Premodern China", please send abstracts to Daniel Fried (dfried@ualberta.ca) no later than March 15, 2019. The 2019 Taiwan Scholarship Program The Taiwan Scholarship Program was established by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to encourage outstanding international students to undertake degree programs in Taiwan.The deadline for applications (undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs) is on March 31, 2019. The 2019 Huayu Enrichment Scholarship Program The MOE 2019 Huayu Enrichment Scholarship was created to encourage international students to study Huayu courses in the Republic of China (Taiwan) and provide them with opportunities to increase their understanding of Taiwanese culture and society, and to promote mutual understanding and interactions between Taiwan and the international community. The deadline for applications (undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs) is on March 31, 2019. Arts ePortfolio Student of the Year 2018/2019 Competition Have you created ubcarts.ca portfolio that showcases examples of your academic and non-academic work? Are you using your portfolio to make connections across courses and disciplines, or between coursework, employment, volunteer work, travel, or learning contexts? If so, you should enter the competition for 2018/19. The top prize will be a $150 gift card! All Arts students, including both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. Deadline for applications is 11:59pm on April 4, 2019 Foreign Government Awards Program - Korea: Open for Applicants The Government of the Republic of Korea, through the National Institute for International Education Development (NIIED), offers six scholarships for study or research at the Master’s or PhD level in Korean studies, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and other fields of study. Scholarships are tenable from September 1, 2019. The deadline for applications is April 22, 2019. Learn Nepali or Tibetan at UBC! The UBC Himalaya Program will be offering two-week intensive Nepali and Tibetan language and community-engaged learning courses in summer 2019 in collaboration with the Department of Asian Studies. These courses blend classroom instruction with experiential learning off-campus at Himalayan community sites in the Lower Mainland. This year, Nepali and Tibetan will be offered between April 29-May 10, 2019. Learn more about the student experience here and watch a video of last year's Tibetan course here. Chia-ying Yeh & Minsheng Scholarship Open for Applicants This Scholarship is encourage students to study classical Chinese poetry and celebrate Professor Emeritus Chia-ying Yeh’s academic career and works in Taiwan. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2019. Explore China for Free with Gotoco Interested in traveling abroad this summer? Join Gotoco in China to gain a TEFL certificate and useful work experience in teaching, education and activity leadership. No prior experience in China, Chinese or teaching is required—just a passion for education and travel. Positions will be filled by late Spring 2019. The Asian Undergraduate Research Symposium 2019 Call for Submissions The Asian Undergraduate Research Symposium 2019 will be held in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday the 3rd of November. AURS provides undergraduates with an exciting opportunity to present and learn from researchers and professionals from around the globe. Here, students will share their academic research experiences and the knowledge they have acquired as undergraduates working with professors, academic mentors, peers, and the symposium leaders. The deadline for abstract submission is August 22, 2019. UBC Tadoku Club (Japanese Reading Club) The Tadoku Club meets on Mondays and Tuesdays in the Asian Library. Join other JAPN students, TAs and senseis to enjoy fun Japanese books in a supportive atmosphere, and improve your Japanese reading skills. Attend once or twice a week - no need to sign up! You can follow on the Tadoku Club Twitter at @UBCTadoku. Synergy: The Journal of Contemporary Asian Studies - Call for Submissions The Asian Institute of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto is currently inviting submissions for their online publication. Their journal seeks to publish the world's premier undergraduate work pertaining to the study of contemporary Asia, specifically on the current political, historical, social, and/or economic developments in the Asia region. Synergy is currently listed with the Library and Archives Canada. Submissions are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. |
| ON & OFF-CAMPUS EVENTS |
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March 13 |11am | Room 229, Geography Building, 1984 West Mall Discover Dance! Series: South Asian Arts March 14 | 12pm | The Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street The Ladder of Art Lies Flat: Yolngu Art and Discourse on Abstraction March 14 | 4pm | MOA Room 213, 6393 NW Marine Drive March 16 | Various times | The Cinematheque, 1131 Howe Street The Art of the Brush: A Retrospective Exhibition of Calligraphy by Yim Tse March 16 | 2pm | Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall Street March 18 |11am | Room 229, Geography Building, 1984 West Mall Imagining Hong Kong Beyond the Umbrella Movement March 24 | 2:30pm | Performance Hall, Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate Award-Winning Author and Environmentalist Barry Lopez in Conversation with Wade Davis March 25 | 7:30pm | Granville Island Stage, 1585 Johnston Street July 4-14 | Multiple venues |
| Meet our Students: Lovneet Aujla |
This interview features BA student Lovneet Aujla majoring in Asian Studies and Sociology. Lovneet shares his experience in the UBC Punjabi Studies program, advice for fellow students, as well as his academic and career goals. |
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Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and how you became interested in the Punjabi Studies Program? My name is Lovneet Aujla, I was born in Vancouver, and grew up in Surrey BC where I was exposed to large Punjabi communities, and as a result, Punjabi culture. On top of this, being born into a Punjabi-immigrant family I think it is fair of me to say that, Punjabi language and culture has been a central part of my life. For me it was satisfying a natural curiosity. Not having access to local histories, and other Punjabi related courses in elementary and high school left me in a somewhat strange position. Although some Surrey schools offered Punjabi language courses (which is significant), I was, unfortunately, too afraid to take one. So, when I came to UBC and recognized that I had an opportunity to learn how to read and write Punjabi, I jumped at the chance. Could you explain why Punjabi Studies at UBC is important? What can you tell students who are considering taking Punjabi, Asian Studies, or Punjabi-related courses? Having a strong Punjabi Studies program is important for a few reasons. It gives both Punjabi students, and non-Punjabi students a chance to explore a rich culture and its history in detail that would, for the most part, be difficult to access. The Punjabi Studies Program gives students a chance to not only gain an appreciation for Punjabi culture, language, history, art, etc., but to understand how these cultures and traditions came to be; and because of this student gain the ability to navigate their own identity critically, should they choose to. For those considering taking Punjabi, Asian Studies, or Punjabi-related courses, you will find not only an enriching academic experience, but a critical experience that, in my opinion, is transferable to many facets of life outside of academia, such as identity. What are your current academic or career goals upon completing your program? How do you think UBC Punjabi Studies is helping you achieve these goals (or has helped you accomplish your goals)? I am on track to graduate this year with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, and Asian Studies. Upon completing my program, I hope to attend some graduate level program, perhaps a masters, or a JD. I believe Punjabi Studies offers a way to critically approach the world which is a skill applicable to all fields. Punjabi Studies also upholds diversity which I think is universally appreciated. Punjabi Studies has helped me achieve my goals by shaping me into what I imagine is a critical student. |
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