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Asia-Europe Institute, University of MalayaUniversity of MalayaJean Monnet Centre of Excellence Asia-Europe Institute Bulletin
Issue: July - December 2019 • eISSN: 2682-8529
Happy New Year 2020

Congratulations!

Distinguished Professor Dato' Dr. Rajah Rasiah Congratulations to Distinguished Professor Dato' Dr. Rajah Rasiah from the Asia Europe Institute, Universiti Malaya, on being conferred the Darjah Dato' Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP) in conjunction with the 63rd Birthday of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah on 10th November 2019.
Professor Dr. Low Wah Yun Congratulations to Professor Dr. Low Wah Yun, Deputy Executive Director (Research and Internationalization, Asia Europe Institute) and also from the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya on the appointment as the President of the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH) in the recent General Assembly held in conjunction with the 51st APACPH Conference in Amari Watergate Bangkok, Thailand on 20th November 2019.

Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence

Jean Monnet Centre of ExcellenceThe Asia-Europe Institute has successfully concluded the second-year activities for the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence. The AEI envisions to enhance the field of EU and comparative regionalism studies in Malaysia through its role as the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence. The theme of the project is “ASEAN-EU in Dialogue: Learning from Each Other”. The JMCoE work programme for the period 2017-2020 intends to sharpen the focus of AEI on ASEAN-EU Studies and to build domestic capacities in both research and teaching. The following activities have been successfully concluded in the months of July to December 2019.

Seminar on Western and non-Western International Relations

On 11th July 2019, as part of its workshop series on Teaching EU Studies in the ASEAN Context, the Asia-Europe Institute conducted a seminar titled ‘Western and non-Western International Relations’. The seminar brought together Kuala Lumpur-based specialists on international relations - security and foreign policy experts, historians, sociologists, and public policy specialists - to discuss recent literature on non-Western approaches to international relations. The seminar sought to identify key features of the Western approach and how it differed or was inadequate to discuss what is seen as apparent contradictions in many Asian approaches to IR problems.

Click here for full report

Western and non-Western International Relations Seminar

Asia-Europe Conference 2019

Asia-Europe Conference 2019The AEI annual flagship conference, the Asia-Europe Conference 2019, was held on the 1st and 2nd of August 2019 at AEI. The one and a half day conference themed “Europe in the New Asia: New Anxieties, New Constructs” featured experts from across the Asian and European region. The conference featured several distinguished individuals as invited keynote speakers including YB Senator Liew Chin Tong, the Deputy Defence Minister of Malaysia; Professor Amitav Acharya, Distinguished Professor, School of International Service, American University, Washington DC; and Mr. Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs, Sciences Po and President of the Jacques Delors Institute. Four panels were conducted over the course of one and a half days.

Click here for full reportClick here for more photos

Prof. Dr. Azirah Hashim, Executive Director of Asia-Europe Institute, University of Malaya YBhg. Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahim Hashim, Vice Chancellor of the University of Malaya YB Senator Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Defence Minister of Malaysia
All the speakers and panellists together with Prof. Dr. Azirah Hashim (11th from the left) and YB Senator Liew Chin Tong Session 1 Panellists - (from left to right) Professor Amitav Acharya, Ambassador Makio Miyagawa, Professor Anthony Milner, Tan Sri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan and Professor Sven Biscop Session 2 Panellists together with Prof. Dr. Sarinah Low, Deputy Executive Director (Research & Internationalisation) of AEI. (from left to right) Professor Sven Biscop, Dr. Farish A. Noor, Prof. Dr. Sarinah Low, Dr. Yeo Lay Hwee, Dr. Jatswan Singh and Mr. Enrico Letta.
Session 3 Panellists - (from left to right) Dr. Ngeow Chow-Bing, Professor Johan Saravanamuttu, Dr. Brian Bridges and Dr. Cheong Kee Cheok Professor Rajah Rasiah, Distinguished Professor, University of Malaya (left) as moderator and YM Raja Dato’ Nushirwan Zainal Abidin (right) Session 4 Panellists - (from left to right) Prof. Yanyan Mochamad Yani, Professor S.D. Muni, Dr. Sharifah Munirah Syed Hussein Alatas (moderator), YM Raja Dato’ Nushirwan Zainal Abidin and Dr. Paul Gillespie

Ambassador Lecture Series

H.E. Prof. Krzysztof DebnickiH.E. Prof. Krzysztof Debnicki the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Malaysia presented a public lecture titled “World War II: The Polish Experience” on 15th November 2019 as part of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence Ambassador Lecture Series. In conjunction with the lecture, the Ambassador also launched an exhibition by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland to Malaysia at the AEI foyer titled “Polish Citizens during WWII” which presented a historical recap of the Polish Experience during WWII.

Click here for full report

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jatswan Singh giving the welcoming remarks Dr. Rahul Mishra as the moderator (sitting) and H.E. Prof. Krzysztof Debnicki on the right H.E. Prof. Krzysztof Debnicki the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Malaysia
Officiating the exhibition Polish Citizens during WWII Ambassador receiving token of appreciation from AEI Dr. Rahul Mishra (moderator), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jatswan Singh (Acting Executive Director of AEI and H.E. Prof. Krzysztof Debnicki, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Malaysia

Other activities by AEI

The AEI has also had a productive second half of the year with various activities such as seminars, workshops, public lectures and roundtable sessions.

Academic Writing for Journal Publication in the Social Sciences & Humanities Workshop

A one-day workshop on Academic Writing for Journal Publication in the Social Sciences and Humanities was held on the 25th of June 2019 at the AEI Resource Centre. About 40 participants ranging from post graduate students and academics attended the workshop which covered topics such as the publishing landscape in the social sciences, targeting the right journals and publication ethics.

Participants of the workshop listening intently to the speaker Distinguished Prof. Dr. Rajah Rasiah from  Asia-Europe Insitute, UM Dr. Corrado Letta from  Asia-Europe Insitute, UM
Professor Dr. Low Wah Yun @ Sarinah Low binti Abdullah from Asia-Europe Institute, UM Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fumitaka Furuoka from Asia-Europe Institute, UM Prof. Dr. Maya Khemlani David from Asia-Europe Institute, UM
Dr. Khoo Ying Hooi from Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, UM Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sameer Kumar from Asia-Europe Institute, UM Distinguished Prof. Datuk Dr. Looi Lai Meng from Faculty of Medicine, UM

Public Lecture with Prof. Dr. Jorge A. Schiavon

On 8th July 2019, AEI in in collaboration with the Centre for Latin American Studies, University of Malaya (CLAS) and Department of International and Strategic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya (FSSS) hosted Prof. Dr. Jorge A. Schiavon, Professor of International Relations at the International Studies Department, CIDE for a public lecture titled “Understanding U.S. Foreign Policy in the Trump Era: Strategies from the US-Mexico Relationship.”

Prof. Dr. Jorge A. Schiavon (second from the right) Prof. Dr. Jorge A. Schiavon, Professor of International Relations at the International Studies Department, CIDE, Mexico Moderator of the day, Dr. Roy Anthony Rogers (the one with the microphone)
One of the participants was given a chance to ask questions. Prof. Dr. Jorge A. Schiavon (second from the right) Prof. Dr. Jorge A. Schiavon received a token of appreciation from Prof. Dr. Azirah Hashim, Executive Director of AEI.

Roundtable with Dr. Luciano Giorgi

The Asia-Europe Institute hosted two round table sessions with Dr. Luciano Giorgi, chairman of Tecnimont S.p.A Malaysia branch. The first roundtable session was held on 12 July 2019 with the AEI PhD Students and the second session was an open session for University of Malaya students on 1st November 2019. The roundtable sessions were aimed at providing the opportunity for students to engage with industry practitioners concerning the job market and future employment.

Dr. Luciano Giorgi 1 Dr. Luciano Giorgi 2 Dr. Luciano Giorgi 3
Dr. Luciano Giorgi 4 Dr. Luciano Giorgi 5 Dr. Luciano Giorgi 6

Public Lecture by Prof. Dr. Jörn Dosch

On 6th September 2019, Professor Dr. Jörn Dosch presented a lecture titled :”The EU in Southeast Asia - Looking Beyond the Standard Narrative”. Professor Dr Jörn Dosch is Chair of International Politics and Development Cooperation & Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Rostock, Germany. His lecture discussed the increasing importance of EU-ASEAN relations and several important milestones of its development.

(Front row, from left to right) The moderator, Dr. Roy Anthony Rogers; Prof. Dr. Low Wah Yun @ Sarinah Low, Deputy Executive Director (Research & Internationalization) of AEI; the speaker, Prof. Dr. Jörn Dosch; and H.E. Hilary Reilly, Ambassador of Ireland to Malaysia. Prof. Dr. Jörn Dosch, Professor/Chair of International Politics and Development Cooperation and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Rostock, Germany One of the participants asking question after the lecture.
Prof. Dr. Jörn Dosch Prof. Dr. Jörn Dosch received a token of appreciation from Acting Executive Director of AEI, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jatswan Singh. Left to right: H.E. Hilary Reilly (Ambassador of Ireland to Malaysia), Dr. Rahul Mishra, Dr. Roy Anthony Rogers, Ms. Katerina Fasz, Ms. Aminath Sharafnaz, Ms Bongekile R. Tsabedze, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jatswan Singh, Prof. Dr. Jörn Dosch, & Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sameer Kumar.

Public Lecture by Dr. Firas Raad

The AEI was proud to host Dr. Firas Raad, Country Manager of the World Bank Group Global Knowledge and Research Hub in Malaysia on 2nd October 2019. The lecture, held at the auditorium of the AEI, was titled “The Human Capital Index: Measuring Productive Human Capital.” Dr. Firas Raad explained the development process of the Human Capital Index and its importance in better understanding the needs of the global society.

The arrival of Dr. Firas Raad, led by Datuk Ir. (Dr.) Abdul Rahim Hj. Hashim, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Malaya. Dr. Corrado GM Letta, introducing Dr. Firas Raad on stage. Dr. Firas Raad, Country Manager of the World Bank Group Global Knowledge and Research Hub in Malaysia.
The moderator of the day, Distinguished Professor Dr. Rajah Rasiah (sitting) and Dr. Firas Raad in action. Dr. Firas Raad (left). Distinguished Professor Dr. Rajah Rasiah (right). From left to right: Datuk Ir. (Dr.) Abdul Rahim Hj. Hashim, Dr. Firas Raad, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jatswan Singh & Distinguished Professor Dr. Rajah Rasiah.

Public Lecture and Forum with Dr Philippa Malmgren

American Policy Analyst, Dr. Philippa "Pippa" Malmgren, presented a public lecture titled “Weathering the Geopolitical Storm: Malaysia’s New Economic Narrative” on 11th November. The public lecture held at the Auditorium of Akademi Pengajian Islam was co-hosted by the Asia-Europe Institute and Education Malaysia Global Services. The public lecture also featured two eminent panelist, Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Othman Chairman, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad and Dr Shankaran Nambiar, Head of Research at Malaysia Institute of Economic Research. The public lecture was followed with a drone demonstration by H Robotics.

From left to right: Dr. Nurliana Kamaruddin (Master of Ceremony), Dr. Philippa 'Pippa' Malmgren, Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Othman and Datuk Ir. (Dr.) Abdul Rahim Hj. Hashim (Vice-Chancellor of University of Malaya). Dr. Philippa 'Pippa' Malmgren, American policy analyst. Left to right: Dr. Philippa 'Pippa' Malmgren, Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Othman (Chairman, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad), Mr. Wan Ahmad Fayhsal (moderator) & Dr Shankaran Nambiar (Head of Research, Malaysia Institute of Economic Research)
Left to right: Dr. Philippa 'Pippa' Malmgren, Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Othman (Chairman, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad), Mr. Wan Ahmad Fayhsal (moderator) & Dr Shankaran Nambiar (Head of Research, Malaysia Institute of Economic Research) Left to right: Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Othman (Chairman, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad), Dr. Philippa 'Pippa' Malmgren, Mr. Wan Ahmad Fayhsal (moderator) & Dr Shankaran Nambiar (Head of Research, Malaysia Institute of Economic Research) Left to right: Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Othman (Chairman, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad), Dr. Philippa 'Pippa' Malmgren, Mr. Wan Ahmad Fayhsal (moderator) & Dr Shankaran Nambiar (Head of Research, Malaysia Institute of Economic Research)

Dialogue on ‘Post “Caliphate”: Daesh in the Digital Realm’

The Asia-Europe Institute (AEI) University of Malaya, together with the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia, Centre for ASEAN Regionalism University of Malaya (CARUM) and Department of International and Strategic Studies, FASS UM, hosted a Public Dialogue on Post “Caliphate”: Daesh in the Digital Realm on 20th November 2019. The one-day dialogue featured speakers from government and law enforcement agencies, academic institutions and think tanks as well as NGOs.

Panel Session I: Terrorist Use of Online Space – Post “Caliphate” This forum achieved full house attendance. Seen here participant was given a chance to ask question. Panellists for Session 1: (from left to right) Dr. Nurliana Kamaruddin (moderator, AEI UM), Dr. Danial Yusof (UIA), ASP Muhammad Muzhafar bin Mohamed Yusoff (RMP), Mr. Remy Mahzam (ICPVTR, RSIS) & Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jatswan Singh (Acting Executive Director of AEI) Panel Session II: Counter-Terrorism Strategies Vis-à-vis Terrorists’ Use of the Internet
Panel Session II: Counter-Terrorism Strategies Vis-à-vis Terrorists’ Use of the Internet Panellists for Session II: (from left to right) Dr. Rahul Mishra (AEI UM), Dr. Roy Anthony Rogers (Moderator, UM), Mr. Sean McClean (British High Commission of Malaysia), Mr. Chuah Teong Ban (Director General of SEARCCT, MFA), Lt. Col. Sazali bin Sukardi (R) (CyberSecurity Malaysia), Ms. Raja Saza Nur Aquilla (eBdesk Malaysia) & Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jatswan Singh (Acting Executive Director of AEI) Panel Session III: Whole-of-Nation Approach to Terrorists’ Use of the Internet Panelists of Session III: (from left to right) Mr. Mohamad Sinatra (moderator, ISIS Malaysia), Dr. Roy Anthony Rogers (UM), Ms. Amanda Thomas (SEARCCT), Mr. K. Shan (Pusat Hak Asasi & Keselamatan Komuniti Sabah)

Thrills and Skills in Academic Writing Workshop

The Asia-Europe Institute hosted a two-day academic writing workshop conducted by Prof. Dr. Maya Khemlani David and Dr. Kuang Ching Hei on 27 and 28th November 2019. The two-day workshop held in the AEI Resource Centre provided insights into the process of academic writing in order to enhance an academic manuscript. The trainers also assisted the participants with hands on exercises on paraphrasing other scholars/researchers, summarising information, and synthesising the views of others.

Dr. Maya Khemlani David, one of the speakers, addressing and welcoming the participants. Dr. Maya Khemlani David (standing, left) and Dr. Kuang Ching Hei (standing, right) introducing themselves to the participants. Dr. Kuang Ching Hei
Dr. Maya Khemlani David Speakers in action. Group photo. Congratulations to all participants who managed to attaend the workshop for two straight days.

ASEAN Studies Dialogue

On 27th November 2019, the ASEAN Secretariat hosted an inaugural ASEAN Studies Dialogue in an effort to map out a cooperation framework among ASEAN academics. Associate Professor Dr. Jatswan Singh, Acting Executive Director of the AEI was one of the invited scholars attending the dialogue to discuss how academics can collaborate with ASEAN to undertake research on regional affairs. The participants also discussed the possibility of establishing an ASEAN Studies Network.

Click here for the full report

ASEAN Studies Dialogue

Business Round Table Dialogue Series

As part of its continued effort to provide a platform for students to interact with industrial practitioners, the AEI hosted three roundtable dialogue sessions with two outstanding individuals from the corporate sector. Two sessions were held with Muhammad Azmi Zulkifli, Acting CEO & Director of Investor Relations - Europe, InvestKL on 10 & 17 December 2019 respectively. Another session was held with Patrick Tay, Deals Partner of PwC Malaysia on 12 December 2019. Each session was opened to all students of University of Malaya.

Acting CEO & Director of Investor Relations - Europe, InvestKL, Mr. Muhammad Azmi Zulkifli (first from the right) and Mr. Tim Saw, Director, Strategic Communications & Partnerships, InvestKL (second from the right) The first round table was held on 10th December 2019. From left to right, Dr. Corrado GM Letta, Mr. Tim Saw and Mr Muhammad Azmi Zulkifli (Acting CEO of InvestKL) Acting CEO & Director of Investor Relations - Europe, InvestKL, Mr. Muhammad Azmi Zulkifli Group photo with all the participants.
12 Dec 2019 - Business Round Table Dialogue with Mr. Patrick Tay, Deals Partner, PwC Malaysia Students that participate in this round table dialogue. Mr. Patrick Tay receiving token of appreciation from Dr. Corrado GM Letta. Group photo with all the participants. Mr Patrick Tay is in the middle (blue shirt).

ASEM Education Standing Working Group

Executive Director of Asia-Europe Institute, Professor Dr. Azirah Hashim and AEI PhD Candidate, Mr. Miandy Munusamy attended the Kick-Off Meeting of the Standing Group (SWG) on 9 and 10 December 2019 in Hotel Savoy, Berlin, Germany hosted by the ASEM Education Secretariat Belgium. The meeting was held in conjunction with the establishment of the Standing Working Group involving ASEM partners and stakeholders in producing the ASEM Education Vision & Strategy 2030. Professor Dr. Azirah Hashim and Mr. Miandy Munusamy shared their knowledge on how higher education is embedded in the ASEM Education Process.

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ASEM Education Standing Working Group

BRECIL Stakeholders Sharing Session 2019

BRECILThe Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education team at UM led by AEI conducted a one day stakeholder sharing session on 16 December 2019 on the Building Social Research Capacities in Higher Education Institutions in Lao PDR and Malaysia (BRECIL) project. The sharing session is a platform where the project outputs and results as well as the on-going collaboration within the consortium are shared with various stakeholders. Impact of the project and benefits for target groups at the national, regional and international level were highlighted.

Stakeholders Sharing Session 1 Stakeholders Sharing Session 2 Stakeholders Sharing Session 3 Stakeholders Sharing Session 4

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The Asia-Europe Institute has successfully established itself as one of Southeast Asia’s leading institutions for social science postgraduate research and teaching. Established under the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process with a philosophy of enhancing Asia-Europe relations, AEI aims to foster exchange of students and scholars with a view to developing better understanding of the cultures, histories, politics, institutions, economics, business and legal practices of both regions.

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Asia-Europe Institute (AEI), University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.
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Last Update: 24/01/2022