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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 17/08/2026

We're proud to announce that Dr. Helena Wu has been promoted to Associate Professor, effective July 1! Dr. Wu is dedicated to developing interdisciplinary approaches to narratives and cultural discourse, especially within the realm of Hong Kong literature, cinema and culture.

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 14/07/2026

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.

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 07/07/2026

We're proud to announce that Dr. Nesrine Basheer has been promoted to Associate Professor, effective July 1! Dr. Basheer spearheads our Arabic language program and is actively involved in fostering discussions and knowledge exchange between other teachers of Arabic as a second language.

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 25/04/2026

Congratulations to our Sanskrit lecturer Janet Um on being a recipient of the AMS UDL Champions Award! Dr. Um was recognized for her Students as Partners work bridging heritage and non-heritage Sanskrit learners and applying Universal Design Learning principles to improve SANS 300. buff.ly/KsbMRtH

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 23/04/2026

Tomorrow, join Dr. Christina Laffin for a conversation with Kanako Nishi and book translator Allison Markin Powell to discuss what the translation of Nishi’s bestselling novel, Sakura, means in the context of the rising popularity of Japanese fiction among English readers. bit.ly/4mgatpW

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 10/03/2026

On Friday, March 13 at 11am, join our Assistant Professor Pasang Yangjee Sherpa and scholars Mabel Gergan and Arvind Kumar as they explore critical questions around Indigeneity, caste, race, and decolonial thought in South Asia. Join in-person or online via Zoom at this link: bit.ly/4lnjcpQ

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 24/02/2026

Thank you for attending Dr. Don Baker’s retirement lecture held on January 30. Marking his 40-year milestone with UBC Asian Studies, he discussed the lives of three brothers – a renowned philosopher, a pioneer biologist, and a Catholic Martyr in Chosŏn Korea. asia.ubc.ca/news/2025-26...

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 23/02/2026

This Friday at 12 pm: Join Dr. Naoko Kato (Corpus Christi College and St. Mark’s College) as she tells the stories of the Japanese diaspora members who were “doubly abandoned” by both the Canadian and Japanese states during the postwar period. Learn more: asia.ubc.ca/events/event...

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 21/01/2026

Please join us in welcoming our new Associate Professor of Teaching in Korean Language and Culture, Ho Jung Choi! He is a highly experienced educator and former director of Princeton University’s Korean Language Program, bringing expertise and leadership to our community. asia.ubc.ca/news/asian-s...

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 14/01/2026

On Friday, January 30, join us for the 2026 Capstone Lecture, where our Professor in Korean History and Civilization, Dr. Don Baker will explore the remarkable lives of the Chŏng brothers, revealing valuable insight into life in late 18th- and early 19th-century Korea. asia.ubc.ca/events/event...

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 13/11/2025

We are inviting applications for a Lecturer in Japanese Language, starting August 2026! We're seeking an exceptional and experienced teacher of Japanese Language courses with interest and expertise in innovative curriculum design and pedagogy. Apply by Jan 5, 2026. Details: bit.ly/japn-lecturer

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 05/10/2025

Our Assistant Professor, Dr. Pasang Yangjee Sherpa, spoke at the International Mountain Conference in Innsbruck last month, sharing insights from her work in Khumbu and highlighting glaciers as powerful, interconnected beings. Read more: asia.ubc.ca/news/dr-pasa...

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 27/09/2025

Congratulations to Asian Studies Professor Sunera Thobani on her latest publication, "Decolonizing Knowledge: Looking Back, Moving Forward"! The book looks at the definitions of decolonization that emerged from anti-colonial thinkers in their struggles for freedom from colonialism. buff.ly/Uqf3HGR

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 25/09/2025

Tomorrow at 7:00am: Join Dr. Shahira Yacout (The American University in Cairo) for a discussion on teaching Arabic listening skills, where she explores teacher challenges, learner difficulties, and approaches to selecting effective audio materials. Presented in Arabic: asia.ubc.ca/events/event...

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 22/09/2025

Join us today and tomorrow for a book talk and discussion on Nishant Upadhyay’s “Indians on Indian Land: Intersections of Race, Caste, and Indigeneity” alongside short film, “No Past to Long For” by director Monica Cheema! Register here: asia.ubc.ca/events/event...

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 17/09/2025

This Friday at 12:00pm: Join Dr. Christina Yi (UBC Asian Studies) for a talk on how the catchphrase “Kyojin, Taihō, tamagoyaki” symbolized national culture in 1960s Japan, and how Taihō’s story sheds light on the lasting legacies of empire and repatriation. Learn more: asia.ubc.ca/events/event...

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 07/08/2025

A huge congratulations to our Professor of Pre-Modern Japanese Literature and Art, Dr. Joshua Mostow, who was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon! 🇯🇵🎖️ asia.ubc.ca/news/profess...

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 25/07/2025

Congratulations to Drs. Christopher Rea and Bruce Rusk on their latest publication, an edited and annotated version of the Ming-dynasty “Book of Swindles” (杜騙新書). Asian Studies PhD student Chien-Cho Chan and PhD graduate Yinzong Wei also contributed to the book! asia.ubc.ca/news/drs-chr...

Image of book cover and book authors, Dr. Christopher Rea and Dr. Bruce Rusk

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 08/07/2025

A huge congratulations to our Department Head and Professor of Modern Japanese Literature and Popular Culture, Dr. Sharalyn Orbaugh, who was formally presented with the Foreign Minister of Japan’s Commendation the other day 🇯🇵🎊

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 19/06/2025

Register for NEPL390 in Summer Term 2 to learn Nepali in a community-engaged environment. You will have the opportunity to sample Nepali food, music, and cultural life! No prior knowledge needed: wd10.myworkday.com/ubc/d/inst/1...

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UBC Asian Studies @asia.ubc.ca · 05/05/2025

#UBCAsianStudies is now on Bluesky! We’ll be sharing updates on our latest news, events, projects and publications! Stay tuned for exciting content about our Department, faculty and students ✨

Asian Centre building at University of British Vancouver

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