MEXT 2018 Research Student Scholarship

Application deadline: May 24, 2019

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of the Government of Japan is currently accepting applications for its 2019 Research Student Scholarship for foreign students who wish to study at Japanese universities. The scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly allowance and a round-trip flight between Canada and Japan.

The Research Student Scholarship is aimed at university graduates, born on or after April 2, 1985 (for the 2020 scholarship year). The area of research or post-grad study should be in the same or related field that the applicant has previously studied.  The term of the scholarship is 18 months to two years (including 6 months of Japanese language training) starting in April or October 2020. 

Details are available on the Embassy of Japan's website.

Applicants who successfully pass the written application screening are required to undertake an interview and examination (English and Japanese language) to be held in mid-June or early July. Please note that fluency in Japanese is not necessarily required, but dependent on the nature of the university and study program as selected by the scholarship candidate.

Paul Tai Yip Ng Memorial Award for 2018 Best Graduate Student Paper

Congratulations to Ms. Daniella Silva, who won our 2018 Best Graduate Student Paper award. Before coming to SFU to study in the Global Communication MA Double Degree program, Daniella received her BA in international communications with an emphasis in French and a minor in biology from Walla Walla University (WA). Studying under Dr. Enda Brophy in her current MA program, Daniella is thrilled to have the opportunity to study in Beijing next year; she has already begun taking her first baby steps toward speaking Mandarin. Her current research aims to build a profile of whose voices represent China on prominent Canadian news websites. (e.g. who are the journalists, who are the sources). Daniella hopes this profile can act as a valuable reference for future research on gatekeepers and international media representation in Canadian news. The winning paper is timely; Huawei's research and development labs often partner with Canadian universities, providing students with hands-on telecommunications industry training and additional funding to the host university. In return, Huawei receives part of any IP created by the R&D labs. This case study is analyzed by exploring how the forces of neoliberalism and global IP regulations shape power relations between Huawei, Canadian universities, and nation-states.

The Canada 150 Conference on Migration of Bengalis

Academicians from SFU and UBC presented papers and participated in roundtable discussion to share the history and contemporary trends of migration of Bengalis or Bangla-speaking people to Canada at The Canada 150 Conference on Migration of Bengalis.

Proceedings have been digitized by the SFU Library, and the digitized version is available here.

NEW Global Asia Program at SFU

The Global Asia Program offers a BA Minor which will facilitate a comprehensive knowledge of the region and a broad understanding of human experience through an introduction to Asian languages and through courses offered in other departments and units of the University, including Humanities, Anthropology and Sociology, English, World Literature, Political Science, International Studies, Communications, and History.

Click here to learn more.

Canadian Journal of Buddhist Studies 13 is published!

We are glad to announce that the 13th issue of the Canadian Journal of Buddhist Studies is now available online. This issue features:

• Articles "Early Tantric Hemerology in Chinese Buddhism: Timing of Rituals According to Śubhakarasiṃha and Yixing" by Jeffrey Kotyk, Leiden University and "Fresh Bread from an Old Recipe: Chögyam Trungpa’s Transmission of Buddhism to North America, 1970–1977" by Ryan Jones, McGill University
  
• Book review "RICHARD BRYAN MCDANIEL, Catholicism and Zen" Reviewed by Bradford McCall
  
• A collection of students' reports and reflections of Buddhist Studies events from April 2017 to January 2018

PAUL TAI YIP NG MEMORIAL AWARD FOR 2017 BEST GRADUATE STUDENT PAPER

Congratulations to Ms. Maggie Tsang (MA), who won our 2017 Best Gradaute Student Paper award. Before coming to Canada to expand her horizon in cultural comparisons, Maggie obtained a B.Sc. in Environmental Science & Management and an MA in Philosophy from Hong Kong. Being particularly interested in the cultural-philosophical background of Chinese medicine, she is now working on a research project “Chinese Medicine as Hermeneutic Knowledge?” in the Department of Humanities at Simon Fraser University. Apart from her thesis work, Maggie worked as a Museum Registrar at Burnaby Village Museum on archival materials and artifacts from a Chinese herbalist shop that was operated in Victoria’s Chinatown from 1900 to 1971. The winning paper examines the nature of knowledge of Chinese and Modern Medicine with a hermeneutic approach. It was completed as part of her thesis under the supervision of Dr. Paul Crowe.

2018-19 Funding Competition

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 1, 2018

The David See-Chai Lam Centre (DLC) for International Communication offers funding opportunities to DLC Members interested in organizing projects and events that support our goals of fostering cross-cultural dialogue between Canada and the Asia-Pacific region and strengthening ties between academic institutions and the community. David Lam Centre is now accepting funding applications for projects to be carried out between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019. Visit our funding policy webpage here for details.

Fellowship Opportunities at the University of Hong Kong

Application Deadline: January 7, 2018 (11pm Hong Kong time)

The Society of Fellows in the Humanities is the first initiative of its kind in East Asia and aims to attract exceptional, early-career post-doctoral scholars from around the world. Located in one of the world's most dynamic cities and on Mainland China's doorstep, the Society provides a new space for research and scholarly exchange free from formal requirements and disciplinary constraints.

Click here for application details.

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2018-19

Application Deadline: December 1, 2017

The Fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$240,000 (approximately US$30,000) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$10,000 (approximately US$1,300) per year to each awardee for a period of up to three years. More than 230 PhD Fellowships will be awarded in the 2018/19 academic year. For awardees who need more than three years to complete their PhD studies, additional support may be provided by the chosen universities.

Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities.

For details, click here.

Japan Foundation Japanese Studies Fellowship Program

Application Deadline: December 1, 2017

This program provides preeminent foreign scholars and researchers in the field of Japanese Studies with opportunities to conduct research in Japan, with the aim of supporting them and promoting Japanese Studies overseas. Experts in the fields of natural science, medical science, and engineering are excluded.

For application guidelines, click here.

2017-18 FUNDING COMPETITION

APPLICATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 1, 2017

The David See-Chai Lam Centre (DLC) for International Communication offers funding opportunities to DLC Members interested in organizing projects and events that support our goals of fostering cross-cultural dialogue between Canada and the Asia-Pacific region and strengthening ties between academic institutions and the community. David Lam Centre is now accepting funding applications for projects to be carried out between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018.

Canadian Journal of Buddhist Studies 12 is published!

We are glad to announce that the 12th issue of the Canadian Journal of Buddhist Studies is now available online. This issue features:

• Article "The Creation of Avalokiteśvara: Exploring His Origin in the Northern Āgamas" by Juyan Zhang, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
• Book reviews "Borobudur: Appearance of a Universe" and "Choosing Buddhism: The Life Stories of Eight Canadians" by Jack C. Laughlin, University of Sudbury/Université de Sudbury, and "Reading Buddhist Sanskrit Texts: An Elementary Grammatical Guide" by Jnan Nanda, University of Hong Kong
• A collection of students' reports and reflections of Buddhist Studies events from May 2016 to March 2017

Transregional Research Junior Scholar Fellowship &
Global Summer Semester Residency at the University of Göttingen

Application Deadline: September 27, 2017

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is continuing its transregional grants (InterAsia) program, offering a 2018 Junior Scholar grants competition and awarding approximately fifteen grants of up to $45,000 to researchers in any world region.

In addition, working closely with the Global and Transregional Studies Platform at the University of Göttingen in Germany, the SSRC is pleased to offer a short-term fellowship opportunity in 2018—the SSRC Global Summer Semester Residency at the University of Göttingen (approximate residency dates: April 15, 2018–July 15, 2018).

For details, click here.

Researching Contemporary Topics in Asia: Panel Discussion and Student Workshops

Saturday, September 16
1:00 - 5:00pm
SFU Harbour Centre 1400 Joseph & Rosalie Segal Centre

Join a panel discussion with Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s post-graduate research fellows, who will talk about their recent short-term field work in in Asia, looking at:

• East Asian youth cultures (China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan)
• Women entrepreneurs in Asia’s start-up scene (Pakistan, the Philippines, Vietnam)
• Canadian support for LGBTQ rights groups (Myanmar, South Korea, and Taiwan)

The panel discussion will be followed by two short workshops on how to do this kind of research and how to package it for a public audience.

This event is free and open to all undergraduate and graduate students. Please RSVP by September 13 on Eventbrite.

IDRC Research Awards 2018

Application Deadline: September 6, 2017

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is inviting Canadians, permanent residents of Canada, and citizens of developing countries pursuing a master’s or a doctoral degree at a recognized university OR who have completed a master’s or a doctoral degree at a recognized university to apply for 13 awards in various programs.

For details, click here.

Job Opening - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
Administrative Assistant (Vancouver Liaison Office)

Application Deadline: July 21, 2017

Applications are invited for one vacant post of Administrative Assistant to serve in the Vancouver Liaison Office of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (“HKETO (Toronto)”). HKETO (Toronto) is the official representative of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Canada.

Applications should be submitted by e-mail, with a cover letter and a resume, to info@hketotoronto.gov.hk on or before 21 July 2017. Late applications will not be accepted. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted within 8 weeks from the closing date. For enquiries, please contact info@hketotoronto.gov.hk.

Trans-Pacific Mobilities: The Chinese and Canada

In 2014, eighteen scholars from Canadian and US universities participated in "Workshop on Chinese Mobilities and Canada" hosted by the David Lam Centre. Among the participants were Paul Crowe and Shuyu Kong of SFU, as well as David Chuenyan Lai (lead author for the Chinese Canadian History project of the DLC). UBC Press has now published articles by these scholars in the new book, Trans-Pacific Mobilities: The Chinese and Canada, edited by Lloyd L. Wong of University of Calgary.

Asia Connect Student Working Group Showcase Competition

Date: May 27, 2017 (Saturday)
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00PM
Location: SFU Harbour Centre Downtown Vancouver: Room 1400-1430

The event comprises of 9 post-secondary students from B.C. (UBC, SFU, UFV, and TRU) who have researched on topics related to youth and contemporary issues in Asia for the past 20 weeks. They will be competing for first place and People’s Choice awards.

Topics include:

• Chinese soft power and the Canadian youth
• Chinese youth and the Internet
• Japan’s aging crisis
• Connecting to youth in Asia (Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam)
• Corporation diplomacy between South East Asia and Canada (Vietnam)
• Diplomacy through environmental organizations (Philippines)
• South Asian youth and politics and migration (Sri Lanka)
• Engagement of BC interior to Asia
• Implications of immigration

Please RSVP to Jenny.sung@asiapacific.ca before May 24, 2017.

PAUL TAI YIP NG MEMORIAL AWARD FOR 2016 BEST GRADUATE STUDENT PAPER

Congratulations to Ms. Tina Kong (MA), who won our 2016 Best Gradaute Student Paper award. Tina has quite an interesting migration story. Born and raised in Singapore, she moved to Vancouver B.C. in her late teens, where she earned her BA (University of British Columbia, 2013) and MA (Simon Fraser University, 2016) in Literature. Her research interests is shaped by her fascination with movement and place, and the stories people tell to sustain us in our journeys. These questions have brought Tina to Hong Kong, where she is now pursuing a PhD at Hong Kong Baptist University. The winning paper examines the mechanics of white supremacy in mid-century Canada, as told through Velma Demerson's autobiography Incorrigible. The paper was completed as part of her capstone project under the supervision of Dr. Christine Kim.

MEXT 2018 Research Student Scholarship

Application deadline: May 19, 2017

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of the Government of Japan is currently accepting applications for its 2018 Research Student Scholarship for foreign students who wish to study at Japanese universities. The scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly allowance and a round-trip flight between Canada and Japan.

The Research Student Scholarship is aimed at university graduates, born on or after April 2, 1983 (for the 2018 scholarship year) who wish to study as research students. The research study area should be the same field that the applicant has studied or a related field.  The term of the scholarship is 18 months to two years (including 6 months of Japanese language training) starting in April or October 2018.

Details are available on the Embassy of Japan's website.

Applicants who successfully pass the written application screening are required to undertake an interview and examination (English and Japanese language) to be held in late June or July.

Hou Family Fellowship for Taiwan Studies
Fairbanks Centre (Harvard)

Application deadline: May 15, 2017

The Hou Family Fellowship for Taiwan Studies sponsors one North America-based scholar of Taiwan Studies and one Taiwan-based scholar of Taiwan Studies as visiting fellows at the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University to pursue Taiwan related research for a term of three to twelve months from August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018.

Applications are welcome from candidates with advanced Ph.D. candidate standing or recent Ph.D.s in a relevant discipline of the humanities or social sciences focusing on Taiwan. Candidates may not be more than five years beyond receipt of the Ph.D. at the start of the fellowship.

Total stipend: $25,000, plus $3,000 for research. Apply.

Hong Kong Baptist University
Master of Arts in Global Society

Application deadline: May 31, 2017

Master of Arts in Global Society (MAGS) is a one year full-time master’s programme co-offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences and the David C. Lam Institute for East-West Studies. MAGS is the first master’s programme in Global Studies in Hong Kong, which is taught by scholars who graduated from renowned universities in Asia, Europe and the US. Through this programme, students could build up knowledge in the areas of education, international studies, history, sport and recreation management, social work and sociology. Students could also develop their ability to integrate various social sciences theories and methodology and put them into practice. Upon completion of the programme, students should be able to explore globalisation and related issues from inter-disciplinary and multi-faceted perspectives.

HKSAR Government Common Recruitment Examination and Basic Law Test

Application Deadline: April 13, 2017

The coming CRE and BLT (for HKSARG's civil service posts at degree or professional level) will be held on 3 and 10 June 2017 in Hong Kong. Details here.

The next application deadline for the December examination will be announced in June.

Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Post-Graduate Research Fellowships

Application Deadline: April 7, 2017

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is committed to fostering the next generation of Asia Pacific researchers and analysts. To this end, it offers up to three Post-Graduate Research Fellowships valued at $40,000 for Master’s graduates and $42,000 for PhD graduates for a one-year non-renewable term. Successful applicants will have a background in Asia-related research in a variety of fields, including (but not limited to) social sciences, humanities, business, education, statistics, and natural sciences, and will be based on excellence and fit with the Foundation’s research priorities (energy and the environment; trade and investment; education; and sub-national relations with Asia.) Grants are not intended to support dissertation research.

CSEAS Fellowship for Visiting Research Scholars at Kyoto University

Application Deadline: March 31, 2017

The Center for Southeast Asian Studies of Kyoto University is now accepting applications from scholars and researchers who work on Southeast Asia, on comparative and regional issues from a multi-area perspective, and are interested in spending time in Kyoto, Japan to conduct research, write, or pursue other scholarly interests in connection with their field of study.

Seven fellowships will be awarded for 2017-2018 on a competitive basis. Fellowships are normally for a six-month duration, although in exceptional cases they can be extended for an additional six months.

2017 Taiwan Scholarship Program

Application Deadline: March 31, 2017

In addition to the Taiwan Scholarship Program for students who are interested in studying undergraduate, master or doctoral degree programs in Taiwan, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver (TECO) has also announced the 2017 Ministry of Education Huayu Enrichment Scholarship Program. The application period for both scholarship programs is from February 1 to March 31, 2017.

2017-18 Funding Competition

Application Deadline: February 1, 2017

The David See-Chai Lam Centre (DLC) for International Communication offers funding opportunities to DLC Members interested in organizing projects and events that support our goals of fostering cross-cultural dialogue between Canada and the Asia-Pacific region and strengthening ties between academic institutions and the community. David Lam Centre is now accepting funding applications for projects to be carried out between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018.

Hong Kong SAR Government Administrative Services Summer Internship Program 2017

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 22, 2017

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office has been committed to providing students and youths with information on the most recent developments in the employment market and career opportunities in Hong Kong.

The Administrative Service forms a cadre of multi-skilled professional administrators who play a key role in the Hong Kong SAR Government. They are involved in policy formulation, resource allocation and implementation of major Government programmes. The primary objective of the Administrative Service Internship Programme is to give qualified students who wish to pursue a career in the Administrative Service an early opportunity to get some hands-on experience of working in the Hong Kong SAR Government, so as to facilitate their future career planning. The application form and information about the program such as the eligibility criteria, conditions of service including pay, duties etc. can be obtained from the Civil Service Bureau.

To learn more about Hong Kong’s employment market and to search and apply for suitable job openings in Hong Kong, check out the new "Higher Education Employment Information E-Platform".

Paul Tai Yip Ng Memorial Award for 2016 Best Graduate Student Paper

Application Deadline: January 16, 2017

The award will be given to the best graduate student research paper that advances our understanding of intercultural issues, particularly as they apply to people in or from Canada and the Asia Pacific region.

Last year's award went to Ms. Lisa Olding, an MEd student. Lisa's winning paper was part of her coursework in EDUC 825, taught by Dr. Ena Lee.