PETALING JAYA: More than 600 scholars, researchers and participants from around the world will gather at Universiti Malaya (UM) for the 12th International Con-ference of the International Society for the Study of Chinese Overseas (ISSCO), taking place from Nov 4 to 5.
With its theme of “Chinese Overseas in a Changing World: Global Networks, Local Realities”, the conference will explore how Chinese communities continue to adapt to social, political and cultural changes while maintaining their global connections.
There are about 380 paper submissions, reflecting growing academic interest in Chinese diaspora studies.
Scholars from universities in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and the United Kingdom will take part, making it one of the most diverse editions of ISSCO to date.
There will be two keynote sessions. On Nov 4, Prof Dr Tan Chee Beng from the Chinese University of Hong Kong will speak on “Chinese Overseas and China: Migration, Transnational Net-works and Local Realities”.
The second keynote address, titled “Horizons, Homelands and Hegemony: The Prospects and Perils of ‘Chinese Diaspora’ in the Age of Global History”, will be delivered by Assoc Prof Dr Rachel Leow from the University of Cambridge, with Prof Datuk Dr Danny Wong Tze Ken of UM moderating the session.
Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, adjunct professor at UM’s Department of Chinese Studies, and former Transport Minister, has been a long-standing supporter of the university’s academic initiatives.
Other presenters include Prof Penglin Chen (Tsinghua Univer-sity) addressing the “Language Policy, Education, and Symbolic Citizenship: Comparing Chinese Communities in Malaysia and Singapore”, and Feng Yijie (Chinese University of Hong Kong) on “Cultural Hybridity and Self-Presentation: A Study of Malaysian Chinese Influencers on RedNote”.
The International Society for the Study of Chinese Overseas was founded in 1992 as a global, non-political, and non-profit academic society to promote research, publications and international dialogue on the Chinese overseas experience.
The organisers are offering a Local Observer Registration package for members of the public. The special rate of RM200 per person includes access to all sessions.
Registration can be made through the UM Event website at bit.ly/47Gksim; seats are limited.
The conference is sponsored by the IKHASAS Group; the Institute of Science Innovation and Culture, Rajamangala Uni-versity of Technology Krungthep, Thailand; Pejati, UM’s Alumni Association of the Department of Chinese Studies; and the Fo Guang Shan Education Centre
The Star and Sin Chew Daily are media partners.
