A Warm Welcome to Our New Board Governor

We are pleased to announce that Professor Wei Shyy has joined BXAI’s Board of Governors. Prof. Shyy is an accomplished academic and researcher in the field of aerospace engineering, having served as President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Chair Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.  He has authored numerous books and research articles, and serves as a General Editor of the Cambridge Aerospace Book Series and Co-Editor-in-Chief of Encyclopedia of Aerospace Engineering.  Apart from his academic achievements, Prof. Shyy is also committed to promoting societal engagement and fostering an inclusive culture at the universities where he has worked.  With his rich experience and expertise as an academic leader, we are confident that he will make valuable contributions to our board.  We look forward to working alongside him to fuel the advancement of the AFLSP. 


BXAI Summer Program 2023 Preview

The BXAI Summer Program 2023 will be held in Tokyo in partnership with Waseda University from August 4 to 18.  It will be the first in-person Summer Program in three years!  Approximately 70 Bai Xian Scholars and Alumni from universities across East Asia will gather together and explore the theme “Transformation of Globalization,” examining how globalization has shifted and evolved over the past few years against a backdrop of an ever-changing global landscape.

During the first week, scholars will enjoy opportunities to form new friendships, foster their communication skills, and immerse themselves in cultural experiences through team building activities and excursions to Nikko, a picturesque city located north of Tokyo.  They will also participate in academic sessions, workshops, and seminars designed for personal growth, learning, and exploration.

The second week will see participants take part in more skill-building workshops, as well as special sessions aimed at facilitating connections within and beyond the BX community, such as an alumni evening, a panel discussion with entrepreneurs, and a modified “Travel with Me” activity.

Towards the end of the program, scholars will deliver group presentations to share their learnings, and celebrate the completion of the eighth BXAI Summer Program at a closing ceremony and gala dinner alongside their fellow scholars, alumni, and BX community members.

Learn more


Jaden Kim

Jaden Kim

“One of the things I appreciate most about being in the Bai Xian community is the chance to immerse myself in a multicultural setting. Everyone I have met is open-minded and willing to share their own perspectives – something I’ve realized is very much shaped by our unique backgrounds and cultural experiences,” says Jaden Kim, a BX scholar from the 2021 cohort, as he explains how he has been influenced by cross-cultural interactions. “The opportunity to interact with other scholars with mutual respect and understanding has not only helped me see the value of diversity, but has also boosted my cultural intelligence, which I believe enables me to better relate to and work with those from different backgrounds.”


Ranna Jarukin

Ranna Jarukin

Having grown up in Japan, Ranna Jarukin, BX Alumna from the 2021 cohort, treasured the opportunity to study abroad in Shanghai. “It was incredibly rewarding to meet and work alongside my Chinese classmates as well as fellow scholars from different backgrounds – something I did not have a chance to do much of before studying abroad,” she says. “Not only did I discover the value of mutual understanding, teamwork, and creativity, I was also inspired to broaden my career horizons. I used to only imagine myself working in Japan after graduation, but now, I am considering a wider range of career options and the possibility of working in Mainland China, other countries in Asia, or even the rest of the world.”


Tim Henares

Tim Henares

Having participated in various programs hosted by BXAI, Tim Henares, BX Alumnus from the 2021 cohort, is grateful for being challenged and motivated to reach higher and achieve more. “At the leadership and public speaking workshops held during the Summer Program, I learned to face my limitations and vulnerabilities head on, and to use them as opportunities to grow and ultimately become a better leader. The BX Peer Mentoring Program also pushed me to consider my future career from a different perspective – my mentor’s open and honest sharing really inspired me to think bigger and widen my horizons!”


Sho Hayashi

Sho Hayashi

Bai Xian Alumnus, Sho Hayashi, is a public policy specialist, business creator, and social entrepreneur.  His personal mission to positively impact society led him to the CAMPUS Asia Double Degree Program, through which he obtained his Master of Public Policy and Master of Laws degrees with support from Bai Xian Asia Institute, as well as various work experiences in management consulting, teaching, and policymaking.  Since 2020, Sho has served as a sustainability and innovation policy specialist in Obuse, a small Japanese town steeped in history and culture.

On his decision to move to Obuse after having studied all across Asia and working in Tokyo, Sho explains, “What I learned from my early work experience is that policymaking on its own is not enough to bring long-term impact.  To truly make a difference, I believe we need to be on the ground and plugged into the local community, building a public policy strategy that meets the actual needs of the people.”  One skill he has found to be incredibly important in his current role is the ability to demonstrate mutual respect and understanding, something he honed during his time studying abroad.  Sho recalls one particular memory from Peking University, when he traveled with two Korean classmates and had the opportunity to engage in deep conversations about everything from history to comfort women.  “We presented our own genuine thoughts as friends, not to reach a common conclusion, but simply to respectfully exchange ideas and opinions through free and open discussion,” he says.  “Although some misunderstandings were inevitable, I learned it is important to express one’s true thoughts and opinions, even if they may differ from others.”  Fast forward to the present, when he finds himself needing to communicate with local citizens often, Sho applies a similar mindset.  “While it is critical to respect others and try to understand their perspectives, we also shouldn’t hide our own thoughts, but rather aim to be honest with ourselves and those we are communicating with,” he says.

Looking ahead, Sho plans to continue investing in the community of Obuse by creating a local business that maximizes the potential of the town and increases job opportunities.  He also hopes to leverage his academic and professional experiences to broaden his impact on society.  “I am in a unique position where I am able to understand both the local environment as well as policies being formulated at the national or even global levels,” he says.  “There are a lot of gaps between those spheres, and I believe I can be a bridge to bring effective change and create value.”

In between working as a policy specialist, running his social innovation organization, and overseeing multiple entrepreneurship projects, Sho still finds time to give back to the Bai Xian community.  Over the past few years, he has volunteered to share as a panelist at alumni sessions, and has also served as a peer mentor under the Bai Xian Peer Mentoring Program.  “Studying abroad was a very motivating experience for me – I felt supported by fellow scholars and empowered by the various activities I attended,” reflects Sho.  “I was equipped to become who I wanted to be, and I hope to pay it forward by sharing my knowledge and experiences with those coming after me.”


Congratulations to the Bai Xian Project Award 2023 Winning Teams!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Bai Xian Project Award: ESG in East Asia, Hi-Tech, and Team of Preservation and Innovation!  We can’t wait to see the final results of your innovative ideas.  Find out more about this year’s winning project ideas below!


Anjin SHIN

Anjin SHIN

Bai Xian Alumna, 2021 cohort
Shanghai Jiaotong University

After a year of studying abroad, BX Alumna, Shin Anjin, encourages new scholars to not only cherish their memories from the AFLSP, but also to take advantage of this unique platform to transform their experiences into action. “One of the great things about being in the Bai Xian community is the opportunity to develop your ideas with other community members, hear their stories, and learn from one another,” she said.


Livvy PEREZ

Livvy PEREZ

Bai Xian Alumna, 2021 cohort
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

 

What are some of the highlights of an AFLSP experience? Meet BX Alumna, Livvy Perez, who shares with us a few of her most memorable and rewarding moments from her time as a Bai Xian Scholar studying abroad at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.


Blair XING

Blair XING

Bai Xian Alumnus, 2021 cohort
Waseda University

 

“Only when we learn more about ourselves and our teammates can we better communicate, form a better team, and create better chemistry,” said Bai Xian Alumnus, Blair Xing, as he shared his top BXAI Summer Program takeaways. Watch the video to hear more about his experience, as well as his ideas on how to better foster cross-cultural connections.