New student initiative to welcome Indonesian ambassador

The number of student groups and initiatives at the Chairs of Southeast Asian Studies in Passau has just increased by one. A number of students studying Indonesian have come together to found the German-Indonesian Student Initiative (Deutsch-Indonesische Studierendeninitiative Passau, DIS). As stated on the newly designed homepage, the group’s objective is to create a platform which supports students who want to learn more about  Indonesia, its language and culture.

A promising start into the Year of the Dragon 2012

Christmas or New Year? Not the occassion matters, but what you make of it.

Every winter term, the student group PSOA traditionally hosts a party for the students and staff of the Chairs for Southeast Asian Studies (and friends). This party, previously known as “PSOA Christmas-Party” (PSOA Weihnachtsfeier), has recently re-invented itself as New Year Party to fill the post-Christmas void in the calender of events. (Whether it is a late celebration of the international New Year or an early nod to Chinese/ Vietnamese New Year is open for interpretation.)

As one could see, the strategy worked out well:

Into the woods to plan Vietnam-Cambodia trip

Wanderlust is an infectious thing. Of late, ten B.A. students of Southeast Asian Studies and their lecturer are particularly stricken by itchy feet. Upcoming March, this group is heading for Vietnam and Cambodia to collect data on urbanization and urban life in transforming societies. Travelling from North to South, they will cover a distance of more than 1,600 km and visit six distinctive cities and towns along the way. The success of such a trip depends to a large part on a thorough preparation and a good team spirit.

A good start: Book a weekend in a cabin somewhere in the Bavarian woods

Academic research network on Myanmar founded in Passau

The Chairs of Southeast Asian Studies have launched into the new year with energetic spirit. Already in the first week of January, academics from various universities and research institutes working on Myanmar met in Passau for a joint workshop. The objective of the event under the headline “Perspectives of Myanmar studies in the German-speaking region”: To discuss the current situation in Myanmar and its consequences for Myanmar studies, identify research perspectives and pinpoint possibilities for collaboration.

Where Africa meets Southeast Asia

Passau and Bayreuth are two Bavarian universities offering an M.A. in the field of area studies with a focus on contemporary development. While the focus in Passau is on Southeast Asia, Bayreuth is renown for its research on Africa. The first joint M.A. course this term, organized as a series of workshops, is an attempt to find out what students from both sides can learn from each other. The ambitious objective of the class: Debate similarities and differences in the development of Tanzania and Vietnam. The kick-off for the collaboration at student-level was this week in Bayreuth. The discussion was animated and not only could all participants learn something about a country and region they had previously known little about, they also gained new perspectives on their own region.

The next workshop is planned for early February in Passau. Interested students from Passau are welcome to participate and join the debate!

The transformation of public space in Hanoi

Yesturday Sandra Kurfürst successfully defended her Ph.D. thesis. Under the titel “Redefining public space in Hanoi” she discussed changing perceptions of space and spatial practices in Vietnam’s capital. The research project offers insights on how the various actors in the city negotiate the meaning and usage of urban space. Whether a space is dominated by the state or open for sacral purposes, shaped by semi-private activities or offering anonymity – Sandra Kurfürst stresses the diversity and multiple dimensions of spatial practices and unravels the complex interelations they are embedded in.

Congratulations, Sandra!

Business globetrotting: “KuWis” abroad

A group of journalists and students of International Business and Cultural Studies (KuWi) in Passau recently launched their own blog. Wirtschaftsweltenbummler (or “business globetrotters”) deals with experiences and challenges of business life abroad. For those planning the first internship or job in China, Russia or Brazil, a browse of the blog might help avoid a pitfall or two.