To commemorate this exciting milestone, we invited faculty and staff to participate in the making of a Reel Medley. In the forms of video and written message, Asian Studies faculty and staff extend their congratulations to the Department on the 60th Anniversary in the languages they speak, teach, or research on.
Written Congratulatory Messages
“It’s been a great honour for me to have been a member of this outstanding Department for nearly twenty years. The growth in numbers, breadth and quality over this time has been the envy of many, and one can only wonder at what the next sixty will bring.”
Peter Nosco
Professor | Japanese History and Culture
“Many congratulations to the Department of Asian Studies on this 60th Anniversary. I am so honoured to be part of the team!”
Sunera Thobani
Professor in Department of Asian Studies
“Hearty congratulations to the Department of Asian Studies for reaching this significant milestone! Whether it has in fact completed a cycle, it’s perhaps too early to say. But certainly the Department has grown and evolved in exciting ways—thanks no doubt to the foundation laid by the early pioneers, the continual hard work of our students, staff, and faculty members, as well as the steadfast support of our alumni and other community members. Congratulations to all!”
Leo Shin
Associate Professor | Chinese History (with the Department of History)
“I feel so fortunate to have worked in UBC Department of Asian Studies, situated in a North American city that is closest to East Asia, both geographically and culturally. It gives me a unique experience of being at home and on the road simultaneously.
Congratulations on your 60th Birthday, UBC Department of Asian Studies — a dream community!”
Jinhua Chen
Professor | East Asian Buddhism
“Happy Birthday, Asian Studies!
Here’s to the next 60 years of inspiring classes, path-breaking scholarship, and great community…”
Sebastian Prange
Associate Professor in Department of Asian Studies
“It is such an honour to be a member of this caring family.
Happy 60th Anniversary to Asian Studies!
UBC亚洲学系六十周年生日快乐！
６０周年おめでとうございます”
Cyrus Huiyong Qiu
Ph.D. Candidate and Sessional Instructor
“As a professional historian I am tasked to be a guardian of time. But historians lack the eloquence of poets. On the joyous occasion of our 60th anniversary celebrations I shall let W.H. Auden do the talking:
And down by the brimming river
I heard a lover sing
Under an arch of the railway:
'Love has no ending.
'I'll love you, dear, I'll love you
Till China and Africa meet,
And the river jumps over the mountain
And the salmon sing in the street,
'I'll love you till the ocean
Is folded and hung up to dry
And the seven stars go squawking
Like geese about the sky.
(Source: “As I walked out one evening”) ”
Harjot Oberoi
Professor | South Asian Social & Religious History