2022 ICSEAS Publication Event
Department of Southeast Asisan Studies, Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages hold the 2022 Wenzao Ursuline International Conference on Southeast Asian Studies on 2022 October 21. For this time, we gather here today to celebrate the launching of two books, 1. Southeast Asia Under Stress: Covid-19, Geopolitics and Domestic Challenges, (edited by Ho Khai Leong, Wen Pin Lin and Samuel C. Y. Ku). 2, 《臺灣與東南亞—從中華民國到臺灣世代》(Taiwan and Southeast Asia: From the Republic of China to the Taiwan Generation), single-authored by Professor Samuel Ku 顧長永。This is a moment of joy for the Department of Southeast Asian Studies at Wenzao. I take this opportunity to say a few words about the two new books.
Southeast Asia Under Stress: Covid-19, Geopolitics and Domestic Challenges, is a collection of excellent papers presented at the International Conference of SEAS last year (2021). As you all know, the Departmentt organizes the International Conference annually, even during the pandemic. After each conference, we select the best papers and publish them. We did that consistently and this book is the fourth volume. In addition, we also select excellent papers and submit them to Bandung-Journal of the Global South, an internationally recognized academic journal. In 2020, Bandung published 6 articles in Volume 7 (2020): Issue 2. And we were the guest editor. In the coming issue next year (2023), the Journal will also publish 4 articles that we submitted (the guest editor is Professor Lin Wen Pin). We thank the journal editor Professor Pak Nung Wong for his support.
I must say that the publication of these papers went through a very rigorous process of selecting, editing, type-setting and proof-reading. We are thoroughly aware that we need to meet the international standard of academic publication in order to continue to uphold the Department’s good reputation. Thanks to the commitment and hard work of everyone involved, we are able to gather here today to witness the launching of this book. Special thanks must go to Mr Otto Chang , the Department manager who makes this publication possible.
The second book is by my good friend, Professor Samuel Ku. Prof Ku is a leading and well-known authority in Southeast Asian Studies in Taiwan. His good reputation goes beyond Taiwan. His list of publication is too long for me to cite here. Suffice to say, he has published books on the 10 Southeast Asian countries – this is no small achievement. To me, this book Taiwan and Southeast Asia is his crowning achievement of his academic career. In a sense, throughout his academic career -- which has spanned 40 years – he has been teaching, thinking, researching, and writing this book, which is 446 pages in length. The book is full of fresh ideas and offers a holistic and historical perspective to look at Taiwan-Southeast Asia relations. I highly recommend the book to you.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me conclude by saying, thanking you for your presence to witness the launching of these two books. This annual international conference offers a platform for Southeast Asianists to exchange ideas and an opportunity to build friendship. I hope you have a rewarding time in Kaoshiung.
