Wherever I am, the world comes after me.
It offers me its busyness. It does not believe that I do not want it.
Now I understand 
why the old poets of China went so far
and high 
into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist.
"The Old Poets of China" by Mary Oliver

This year we adopt as our theme, Continuity and Change: the Asian Center @ 66, in order to signal where the Center is in relation to our historic mandate and mission, and where we need to go in order to raise our profile and impact as an academic and policy hub in the region.
This month, the UP Asian Center is commemorating its 66th Anniversary with the theme, “Continuity and Change: The Asian Center @ 66.” As part of its celebration, there will be a month-long series of online activities (via Zoom) that are free and open to the public, but require signing in to a Zoom account.  All times are in Philippine Standard Time (GMT + 8).

  • ACTIVITIES

    Our Birthday, Our Treat: Enjoy a Free Buffet of Webinars

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    29 Nov 2021: Interrogating Globalization in the Asian Context | A Webinar

    29 Nov 2021: Interrogating Globalization in the Asian Context | A Webinar

    Interrogating Globalization in the Asian Context: A Webinar

      • 29 November 2021, 10:30 am
      • The webinar series features international and comparative political economy analyses on development issues arising from the existential crises, triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, and emerging policies and practices aimed at rebuilding the Philippine and other developing economies and societies on more equitable and sustainable foundations.
      • Distinguished Lecturer: Dr. Jayati Ghosh, Professor at the Department of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is a member of the United Nations High-level Advisory Board (HLAB) on Economic and Social Affairs.  VIEW DETAILS and SIGN UP.

    26 Nov 2021: New Directions for Asian Studies Webinar Series: Networks of Knowledge in Asia | Online Roundtable

    26 Nov 2021: New Directions for Asian Studies Webinar Series: Networks of Knowledge in Asia | Online Roundtable

    New Directions for Asian Studies Webinar Series: Network of Knowledge in Asia | Online Roundtable

    • 26 November 2021, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm
    • This online roundtable is the first of this series that aims to bring together leading key figures from the various international networks—including EUROSEAS and the Association for Asian Studies—that promote the study of Asia. The roundtable aims to discuss the current state of Asian Studies, issues faced, and initiatives to advance the field in light of these challenges. VIEW DETAILS & SIGN UP.

    23 Nov 2021: Mandala: Tessellation of Culture: Online Art Exhibit (Launch)

    23 Nov 2021: Mandala: Tessellation of Culture: Online Art Exhibit (Launch)

    Mandala: Tessellation of Culture: Online Art Exhibit

    • 23 November 2021, 2:00pm (Launch)
    • Mandala is a radial art form known for symmetrical geometric patterns within a circular form. While its oldest known roots stem from Hindu art, the mesmerizing art form found its way to multiple cultural traditions ranging from Buddhism, Islam, and other Eastern religions, and reaching as far as the Arabian Peninsula and Japan. Even pre-colonial Filipinos, perhaps indirectly influenced by their Asian neighbors, adopted similar styles in indigenous tattoos, like flowers and celestial sphere designs, and took to heart the symmetry in tattoo culture. Traditionally, mandalas were used to express visual representations of religious symbols. However, the encompassing nature and beauty of this craft had not eluded secular artists from following its principles in other forms of self-expression.Artists for the Mandala: Tessellation of Culture exhibit, both religious and secular, do not limit their artistic practice with the mandala style alone but will also be complementing it with other art styles, such as Tessellation, which usually focuses on small geometric shapes or patterns that fill empty spaces and gaps from the main artwork. VIEW DETAILS and SIGN UP.

    22 Nov 2021: Collecting Histories: Gems from the Asian Center Art Collection: An Online Exhibit (Launch)

    22 Nov 2021: Collecting Histories: Gems from the Asian Center Art Collection: An Online Exhibit (Launch)

    Collecting Histories: Gems from the Asian Center Art Collection: An Online Exhibit

    • 22 November 2021, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Launch)
    • This exhibit showcases works that originate from, or were inspired by the arts of Southeast Asia, India, Iran, East Asia, and the Philippines. All exemplify different styles and techniques: from Indonesian leaf art, Mughal-style painting and “temple rubbing” to Chinese ink painting, Okinawan rice-resist dyeing, palette-knife, and Persian calligraphy, nasta’liq style. VIEW DETAILS & SIGN UP.

    19 Nov 2021: A Gathering of Asian Center Alumni and Friends

    19 Nov 2021: A Gathering of Asian Center Alumni and Friends

    A Gathering of Asian Center Alumni and Friends

    • 19 November 2021, 5:00pm - 7:00pm (Not to Open to the Public)
    • This event discuss how the Asian Center can reconnect with its alumni friends and discuss how they can establish partnerships with their alma mater and help the AC pursue its academic and public mandate vis-a-vis Asian Studies and Philippine Studies

    09 Nov 2021: Geopolitical Competition in Central Asia: Regional and Global Implications | A Webinar

    09 Nov 2021: Geopolitical Competition in Central Asia: Regional and Global Implications | A Webinar

    Geopolitical Competition in Central Asia: Regional and Global Implications | A Webinar

    • 9 November 2021, 2:00 pm–5:00 pm
    • This lecture will focus on the implications of Geopolitical Competition in Central Asia to the other neighboring regions such as the Middle East, Russia, South Asia, and East Asia. The webinar will discuss this in terms of best analytical cases and examples that Central Asia experienced during its existence as an independent region and geopolitical integrity and entity. VIEW DETAILS and SIGN UP

     

     

  • THEME

    Continuity and Change: The Asian Center at 66

    This year we adopt as our theme, Continuity and Change: the Asian Center @ 66, in order to signal where the Center is in relation to our historic mandate and mission, and where we need to go in order to raise our profile and impact as an academic and policy hub in the region. We hope to build on our past gains, yet at the same time will necessarily bring into our programs, policies, and practices new ideas and new ways of doing things in order for us to stay ahead of national, regional and global trends. 
  • SOCIAL MEDIA

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