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!
Naoya MATSUMOTO
Bai Xian Scholar, Naoya Matsumoto, recalls how an internship in Indonesia inspired him to study abroad, and explains why he believes Japan still has much to learn from China and other countries. Reflecting on his study abroad experience in China, Naoya says, “This personal experience formed my ideology of mutual learning… this way of thinking is becoming increasingly important in the world of globalization.”
KIM Eun Seo
Recent Yenching Academy graduate, Kim Eun Seo, shares about her interests and why she chose to pursue her postgraduate studies in China. She also reflects back on highlights of the BXAI Summer Program in Taiwan, where she was able to pick up important life skills through public speaking workshops and self-awareness sessions.
Prof. Chris WEBSTER
Chris Webster is the dean of the faculty of architecture and chair professor in urban planning and development economics at The University of Hong Kong. Captivated by the idea of urban planning at a young age, the London native shares about his education and career journey, which led him to his current role at The University of Hong Kong – “because there’s no better place to be”.
Marisa YIU
Marisa Yiu is an architect and founding partner of architecture studio, ESKYIU; and executive director of grant funding platform, Design Trust. Inspired by cities as a way of bringing communities together, Yiu explains why her curatorial role in the 2009 Hong Kong & Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism and Architecture was a defining moment in her career.
BXAIJ Hosts Scholar Gathering in Kyoto
BXAIJ hosted a beautiful gathering with our scholars in Kyoto towards the end of last year!
With Honorary Chairman of BXAI, Mr. Chao, Chairman of BXAIJ, Mr. Watanabe, Vice-President of Kyoto University, Prof. Kawazoe and Vice Governor of Kyoto Prefecture, Mr. Yamashita giving encouraging speeches and great Geisha and violin performances, the evening was full of cross-cultural and cross-generational sharing!
David MCCAUGHAN
David McCaughan, storyteller and founder of Bibliosexual, shares his career journey that began with him as a children’s librarian in Sydney and progressed into a 30-year stint in marketing and advertising. He tells us why he believes it is so important to have an interesting and personal story to tell.
Prof. Yasuo SUGIYAMA
We have Prof. Sugiyama from Kyoto University sharing his defining moment with us!
Through his undergraduate experience with AIESEC, a global youth-run organization, Prof. Sugiyama obtained cross-cultural learning opportunities and was encouraged to establish his career with the aim to develop business innovation.
Catherine ALLIE
Ms. Catherine Allie, founder of we are KAL, shares how her research trip to the Changthang Plateau in Northern India inspired her to leave the luxury industry and build a textile social enterprise. Working with the nomads in the rural region, she learned that building a brand takes time and requires a lot of practice. A great word of advice!
Aaron FISHMAN
Aaron Fishman, founder of East Bali Cashews, shares how his volunteering trip in Indonesia inspired him to establish a cashew processing social enterprise. Since 2012, his company has employed more than 400 cashew farmers and empowered the local community.