First AFLSP Annual Meeting Held at Kyoto University
Last month, 31 Kyoto University scholars from our 2015 to 2017 cohorts participated in the university’s first AFLSP annual meeting organized by Professor ZHAO Liang, where they gave presentations on their recent academic studies, social activities, and proposals for Sustainable Development Goals to a judging panel of professors and alumni. A big congratulations to DING Yu, MENG Weijie, and WEN Tianyu, who were commended for best activities!
Many thanks to all attending faculty including Professor Katsuichi UCHIDA, Professor Tsuyoshi KATO, Professor Shinsuke KAWAZOE, Professor Masao MITSUYAMA, Professor AN Lin, and Professor HAN Liyou, who contributed their valuable time and advice to benefit our scholars.
As one of our Anchor Universities, Kyoto University has cultivated 49 AFLSP Scholars to date across its 12 graduate schools. Thanks again for your continuous support of our scholarship program!
Marine THOMAS
Marine Thomas is the conservation project manager at The Nature Conservancy in Hong Kong. She reflects back on her lifelong passion for the environment and how she decided to leave her career in fashion to pursue a job in conservation. She believes that with determination, it is never too late to follow your dreams.
Prof. Harry HARDING
Harry Harding is a university professor at the University of Virginia, and a visiting professor of social science and senior advisor to the Institute of Public Policy at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He shares about how his curious nature and lifelong passion for learning and communication has shaped his career path over the past 40 years, guiding him towards his work in various fields including academics, policy analysis, and university leadership.
In Memoriam
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the sudden passing of our Board Governor, Professor Zhang Junsheng 张浚生教授, on February 19, 2018.
Professor Zhang had played a key role since the Institute’s early days, generously giving his time, support, and guidance in relation to the development of the Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP). He provided us with invaluable advice, especially during the planning of our first Summer Program at Zhejiang University, and was instrumental in introducing the AFLSP to Zhejiang University’s Master of Public Administration Program. As a member of BXAI’s Board of Governors, Professor Zhang was passionate about raising up Asia’s future leaders. He was actively involved in the AFLSP scholar selection process by conducting interviews with students applying to our 10 Participating Universities.
We are deeply grateful for his contribution to the Institute, and express our deepest condolences to his family. He will be sorely missed.
LIN Yu-Fang
LIN Yu-Fang, an Bai Xian Scholar at Waseda University, reflects on how the BXAI Summer Program served as an effective platform for scholars from different academic and cultural backgrounds to openly discuss social issues and develop practical and sustainable solutions together.
Ryo YOSHIDA
Ryo YOSHIDA, an Bai Xian Exchange Scholar studying at Taiwan University, shares about how the BXAI Summer Program boosted her self-confidence and encouraged her to broaden her perspectives and cultivate a new appreciation for different cultures.
YU Ruichuan
YU Rui Chuan, an Bai Xian Scholar studying at Waseda University, shares his BXAI Summer Program highlights, which include public speaking opportunities, meeting fellow scholars from all across Asia, and discussions about sustainability issues.
BXAIJ 2018 New Year's Party in Tokyo
The annual Bai Xian Asia Institute (Japan) Inc. (BXAIJ) New Year’s party was held on Jan 16 in Gakushi-Kaikan, Tokyo. More than 100 guests including Bai Xian Scholars & Alumni, Board Governors of BXAIJ, and representatives from our 6 Japanese Anchor and Participating Universities joined the gathering to celebrate the new year and share about their AFLSP experience.
Mr. Yoshihiro WATANABE, President of BXAIJ, gave a warm welcome to open the night. He reminded our Scholars and Alumni of the mission of the Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP) and encouraged them to share about their future career goals and develop connections with each other.
Together with Mr. Watanabe, Mr. Hideki IWABUCHI, Director of Ministry of Education, and Mr. ZHANG Yaqiang, Councilor of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Japan, also gave welcome remarks. They looked forward to hearing about the study abroad experiences of AFLSP Scholars and the expansion of their worldviews.
BXAI is so grateful for the support of BXAIJ and our friends of Bai Xian in Japan. We send our sincere wishes for the new year to you all!