Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore’s Post

On this page, we will post recent publications, findings and updates regarding the DHARMA project. But what exactly is this project about?  The DHARMA project is a research project funded by the European  Research Council. The term 'Dharma' itself has several meanings and can refer to the cosmic and social order as well as the components of this order. The project’s name stands for the ‘Domestication of “Hindu” Asceticism and the Religious Making of South and Southeast Asia’. It is the product of a collaboration between the CESAH (Centre d’études asiatiques et himalayennes), the EFEO (Ecole Française d’Extrême Orient), the Humboldt University, and the University of Naples ‘L’Orientale’. The objective of this research is to explore and contextualize Hindu institutionalism between the 7th and 13th century, across South and South-East Asia. You can learn more about this project, its members, and its methodology here: https://lnkd.in/eHshCbmD You can also watch an explanation video about the project here: https://lnkd.in/e6_tZXHG This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement n° 809994).

📚 Spotlight on Past Research in the Central Asia and the Caucasus Journal 📚 Did you know? Central Asia and the #Caucasus Journal has a rich archive of groundbreaking research that continues to shape and inform perspectives on the region. Today, we’re revisiting one of our impactful #publications: 📝 Article Title: FORMAL AND CASUAL REGISTER IN CRAZY RICH ASIANS MOVIE: SOCIOLINGUISTICS STUDY ✍️ Authors: Heri Heryono, Vany Yuni Lestari, Oktaviyanti Sri Nur Amanah, Syifa Aulia Mellinia, Tania Putri Sangkan, Vina 📅 Read the Article: https://lnkd.in/dzV2adur This insightful piece delves into the correlation of language, culture and society focuses on how social aspects have influenced the use of language. It is necessary to know the style of language used in social #environments as it can determine someone's #social identity. Explore this and more in our journal’s extensive collection. Stay tuned as we continue to share #impactful research from past and present editions! #CentralAsia #Caucasus #ResearchSpotlight #AcademicResearch #RegionalStudies #GlobalInsights #CentralAsiaAndTheCaucasusJournal

The Story Behind the Name “Matena”✨ "Matena" is deeply rooted in Armenian history and culture. It is symbolically derived from “matean” (meaning "book") and embodies the Armenian people's historical aspiration for knowledge and education. Additionally, there is a strong ideological connection to “Matenadaran," the largest repository of ancient manuscripts in Armenia, which reflects our mission to be a repository of knowledge and a center for excellence. The name was thoughtfully chosen to resonate with the Armenian people while symbolizing our commitment to preserving and sharing knowledge at the highest levels. Moreover, “Matena” reflects an international context of enlightenment, as "Matena" in Esperanto and many other languages (mattina in Italian, matin in French) means morning, symbolizing a new beginning, the dawn of knowledge, and the continuous pursuit of growth and discovery. It represents the idea of awakening to new possibilities and the fresh start that education provides, making it a meaningful name for an Armenia-based international institution dedicated to leadership and professional development. #Matena #SharingExcellence

China has set up a research institute on early Chinese philosophies, taking the discourse beyond Confucius in its latest effort to win the narrative war with the West on governance values. The “Chinese Zhuzi Research Institute”, or “institute of early Chinese philosophies” opened earlier this month at the East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai. It aims to explore the country’s rich philosophical heritage dating back more than 2,000 years and use that ancient wisdom for contemporary governance in China and beyond, scholars attending the inauguration ceremony last month said. Analysts see the institute as the latest testament to China’s focus on reclaiming its intellectual heritage for modern governance as it fights a narrative war with the West, albeit with a focus on the less popular schools of thought to encourage a more inclusive dialogue. Any attempt to equate Chinese culture with Confucianism alone is deeply mistaken Professor Stephen C. Angle, Wesleyan University Addressing the inauguration ceremony, ECNU vice-president Lei Qili highlighted the institute’s role in revitalising traditional culture in response to the “second combine”. https://lnkd.in/gciVRtx4

[Global Impact of African and Asian Studies Research] Introducing African and Asian studies research delves into the rich tapestry of global understanding. These studies transcend . . . https://lnkd.in/gV3mKxRk

Ayşe Zarakol’s offers a compelling reexamination of global history, challenging the Eurocentric perspective that has dominated social sciences and international relations. By highlighting the existence of grand, interconnected world orders in Asia long before the rise of European hegemony, Zarakol emphasizes the importance of recognizing the diverse and influential roles that non-Western civilizations have played in shaping global dynamics.   These Asian world orders, particularly those led by the Chinggisid, Timurid, and Ming empires, were marked by their own norms, sovereignties, and interconnected political, economic, and cultural exchanges.   Zarakol’s narrative disrupts the conventional view that the modern international order began with the 17th-century Peace of Westphalia and instead presents a history where the East, too, was home to powerful world-ordering entities.   This rethinking of global history is crucial, especially in the context of current geopolitical rivalries and cultural wars in the West. As the U.S. and its allies grapple with the rise of China and other emerging powers, Zarakol’s insights challenge us to reconsider the narratives that have shaped our understanding of global power structures.   The essay urges a broader, more inclusive approach to history, one that acknowledges the contributions and legacies of non-Western civilizations.   In a world increasingly divided by cultural and political tensions, Zarakol’s work is a reminder that no region is inherently destined to dominate the world.   Instead, geopolitical outcomes are contingent on a complex interplay of factors, including historical legacies, cultural exchanges, and structural crises. By expanding our understanding of world history beyond a Eurocentric framework, we can better appreciate the diverse forces that continue to shape our global order today. #sundaysofhistory #geopolitics #globalhistory #history #eurocentrism #asia #china #india #usa #europe #chinggisidempire #timurids #mingdynasty #internationalrelations #geopolitics #culturalwars #globalpower #historicalperspective #globaldynamics #sundays Aeon Media Group Ltd Ayse Zarakol

Masoga, M. A., & Shokane, A. L. (2023). African thought and Western (European) misconception: An Afrocentric paradigm. International Journal of African Renaissance Studies-Multi-, Inter-and Transdisciplinary, 18(2), 3-22. Abstract: The present study is a critical examination of a model of African thought in which Afrocentricity as a theory is employed. During both pre-colonial and colonial times, people from the West (Europe) believed themselves to be more intelligent than Africans. This misconception about African knowledge systems led to the labeling of Africa as the “dark continent”. This article explores this controversial issue by engaging with previous contributions that delved into similar debates. It is argued that “intelligence” cannot be defined by the color of the skin. The discussion dialogues with Molefi Kete Asante’s Afrocentric theory concerning African thought and Western misconceptions. Examples of people celebrated as being endowed with exceptional knowledge in both leadership and academic capacities are cited. Unique architectural sites in southern Africa are also discussed as evidence of ancient civilizations on the continent. Decoloniality is used as a research method. Keywords: Africa, Afrocentricity, colonialism, decoloniality intelligence, Molefi Kete Asante, dark continent

The second issue of the Journal of Central Asian Studies, published by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of Kazakhstan, is now available! This edition delves into the theme of "STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND REGIONAL DYNAMICS IN CENTRAL ASIA," offering a wealth of insights and research on the evolving geopolitical landscape of this crucial region. We invite researchers and scientists to explore the published articles in this issue. Your engagement and citations of our work in your future papers would be greatly appreciated and help further the discourse on Central Asian studies. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dk9F298Q #CentralAsianStudies #Geopolitics #Research #StrategicPartnerships #AcademicPublishing #KazakhstanInstitute #JournalPublication

Achille Mbembe on Africa and global dynamics of intellectual and political change: “ On the other hand, the region of Africa has provided most, or some of our modern disciplines with some foundational categories, whether we are talking about anthropology, political economy, development studies, psychoanalysis or structuralism. Without those key categories, our disciplines would be utterly poor today. So as the 20th-21st century falls, many are beginning to recognise that our planet’s destiny might be played out in Africa, and therefore, what we are seeing is global recognition of that philosophical and material contributions of the continent, and maybe more [of a] willingness to listen to reflections coming from this part of the world. That’s how I see it. … What strikes me is that we live at a time of redrawing the global intellectual map, and this is the shift that [has not] started yesterday. I would think that it began during the era of decolonisation. But there has been an acceleration in redrawing the global map. For instance, today, besides traditional northern Atlantic research institutions and centres of learning, we are witnessing the emergence of alternative circuits of circulation, which have emerged especially in the last quarter of the 20th century.“ https://lnkd.in/de3mveyT

As we reported earlier, the delegation of the University of Szeged visited China and discussed the expansion of its international network. 🌍 During the trip, thanks to a personal connection, the delegation members also met the leaders of one of the oldest universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), and talked about the possibilities of cooperation 🤝 #UniversityofSzeged #StudyinSzeged #szte #szteinternational https://lnkd.in/dNwpu-nr