Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences - Institute of Asian and African Studies

News and Events

 

January 2025


From January 2025, Tuwanont Phattharathanasut (Thailand) will work in Prof Dr Claudia Derichs' team for 24 months. Mr Phattharathanasut has received a Humboldt Research Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers. He completed his doctorate at Waseda University in Tokyo on the famous "Milk Tea Alliance" in East and Southeast Asia. In Berlin, he will strengthen Claudia Derichs' team of doctoral students by researching the intra-Asian connections of political youth movements in Asia since the 1960s.

December 2024


On December 10, 2024, at 6:00 PM:
Talk: “Continuities and Discontinuities of Community: Tracing the Complexities and Subtleties of Pitiki in a Changing Lesotho Socio-Economic Landscape”

Speaker:
Dr. Neo Selikane-Mohlabane
Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Pretoria

Location:
Invalidenstraße 118, 10115 Berlin, Room 117

Time:
6:00 PM

Description:
We warmly invite you to an engaging talk by Dr. Neo Selikane-Mohlabane, focusing on the evolution of Pitiki, a traditional Basotho ceremony celebrating birth and motherhood.

Dr. Selikane-Mohlabane will draw on decolonial feminist perspectives to explore how colonization and socio-economic changes have influenced this community-centered tradition, originally rooted in the values of interconnectedness and reciprocity.

Her talk challenges colonial narratives that portray African practices as stagnant and backward, illustrating how Pitiki serves as a dynamic and adaptive matriarchal space. This practice continues to empower women in Lesotho as they navigate the complexities of post-colonial society.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Neo Selikane-Mohlabane is a lecturer in the Sociology Department at the University of Pretoria, specializing in gender studies and public health. She holds a PhD in Sociology (Gender Studies) and a Master’s in Public Health, both from the University of Pretoria.

Her research focuses on gender, sexuality, violence against women, intersectionality, and decolonial African feminist analyses. Before joining academia, Dr. Selikane-Mohlabane worked as a Senior Research Specialist at the Human Sciences Research Council in South Africa, gaining extensive experience in the fields of public health and social sciences.

November 2024


Visit of Prof. E. Aminudin Aziz, M.A., Ph.D. at IAAW

On November 20, Prof. E. Aminudin Aziz, M.A., Ph.D., will be visiting the IAAW. Prof. Aminudin is the Acting Director of the Indonesian National Library (Perpusnas) and the Head of the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation (Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa). In his roles, he aims to learn more about Indonesian language instruction at the IAAW.Additionally, Prof. Aminudin will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin to strengthen future collaboration in the field of manuscript research. 

 


"Green Campus" - High-Level Delegation from Indonesian Universities Visits HU

From November 18 to 22, 2024, our Indonesian colleagues from the state Islamic universities of Indonesia will visit Berlin and the surrounding area to learn about strategies for sustainable and environmentally conscious university development. The delegation, consisting of fifteen members, includes academic leaders led by three rectors. The main points of interest at HU are the IAAW, the Berlin Institute for Islamic Theology (BIT), and the cafeterias. In addition to exchanging academic experiences on educating and motivating future generations towards greater environmental awareness, the guests are also interested in practical aspects, such as how the student services of BERLIN reduce their carbon footprint and operate sustainably.

The program is complemented by a tour of the "Blühender Campus" initiative, an internship at HNE Eberswalde, a presentation of Indonesian manuscripts from the UNESCO World Heritage at the State Library, a visit to the Berlin Graduate School of Muslim Cultures and Societies, and a public lecture by teacher and author Peter van Ham on environmentally friendly design in the Textorschule in Frankfurt-Sachsenhausen.

As a result of this visit, numerous new opportunities for future cooperation with Indonesian universities will arise, providing IAAW students with new possibilities, such as interesting offers for internships or study abroad semesters in Java and Sumatra.

There has long been a tradition of intensive academic relationships and cooperation between Indonesia and HU. Relatively new are the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (iisma) offered by the Indonesian Ministry of Education, which have allowed larger contingents of Indonesian students to study at HU for several months in recent years.

For HU students, there are various opportunities to gain personal and practical experiences in the multicultural Southeast Asian country with over 17,000 islands through scholarships. The Darmasiswa scholarship, also funded by the Indonesian Ministry of Education, finances and arranges study placements at all renowned universities across Indonesia. There are also scholarships available through the DAAD, such as for internships abroad. Additionally, successful internships have been arranged in social projects, such as in the "Brilliant Smile e.V." project, which focuses on the dental health of children in orphanages in Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Students can receive advice on this at the IAAW.

The delegation includes:

  1. Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, MA, PhD (Rector, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)
  2. Prof. Maila Dinia Husni Rahiem, MA, Ph.D. (Head of Center for International Cooperation, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)
  3. Prof. Dr. Zilhadia, M.Si. (Dean of Faculty of Health Science, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)
  4. Prof. Dr. Ibnu Qizam, Msi. (Dean of Faculty of Economic & Business, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)
  5. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maksum, MA (Dean of Faculty of Sharia and Law, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)
  6. Dr. Gun Gun Heryanto (Dean of Faculty of Da'wa and Communication, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)
  7. Evi Muliyah, M.Si (Coordinator, Center for International Cooperation, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)
  8. Prof. Dr. Abdurrohman Kasdi, M.Si. (Rector IAIN Kudus)
  9. Dr. Kisbiyanto, MPd. (Vice Rector of Student Affairs, IAIN Kudus)
  10. Farid Al Zasal, S.Ag., S.S., Head of General Affairs and Academic Services, IAIN Kudus)
  11. Prof. Dr. Martin Kustati, M.Pd (Rector UIN Imam Bondjol)
  12. Dr. Testru Hendra (Deputy Rector UIN Imam Bondjol)
  13. Aryanaldi (Head of Plan and Finance, UIN Imam Bondjol)
  14. Fajri Hidayat, M.Si (PIC of Financial Unit, UIN Imam Bondjol)
  15. Dr. Yasrul Huda, M.A (Vice Rector for Academic and Institutional Development, UIN Imam Bondjol)

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Lecture Penpisoot Maitrarat: Tracing colonial legacies in a non-colonised country: The historical analysis of Thai higher education

 

Date and Time: 12.11.2024 at 6 pm

Location: Room 117, Invalidenstraße 118, Seminar für Südostasienstudien

Despite the longstanding belief that Thailand was never colonized, the country’s higher education system reveals subtle influences from Western colonial powers, both during and after the colonial era. This lecture will trace how these influences have shaped Thai higher education, from the colonial period through the post-WWII era, and explore Thailand’s efforts to preserve its heritage while establishing a global identity. The presentation introduces a research project that examines the opportunities and challenges in adapting higher education models across diverse social, political, and cultural contexts.

Penpisoot Kwan Maitrarat is a lecturer at Mahasarakham University, Thailand, specializing in the history of education, Thai culture and society, and social studies. Her work also explores discourse and institutional theory, social practices, mythology, and global society. Her recent book, The History of Higher Education in Thailand – Confronting Challenges, reflects her expertise in applying sociological theories to global and local phenomena.

 


What’s going wrong with Bali???

In conversation with Niluh Djelantik

 – 7 November 2024, 10-11:30 a.m. Berlin / 5-6:30 p.m. Bali –

https://hu-berlin.zoom-x.de/j/67762973822

 

Niluh Djelantik is a prominent politician from Indonesia who is particularly committed to the interests of the Balinese people and the preservation of their cultural heritage. In her political career, she has focussed on strengthening the voice of the people of Bali and representing their interests at a national level.

Djelantik is known for her committed stance on environmental and education policy issues. She has launched numerous initiatives to promote sustainable development in Bali and raise awareness of environmental protection. In her role, she has also fought to protect cultural traditions and agricultural practices that are central to Balinese identity.

As a member of the regional parliament, Djelantik has been involved in various legislative processes aimed at promoting social justice and economic equality. She is known for her direct access to the population and her ability to translate their concerns into political measures. She encourages dialogue between politicians and citizens through regular public consultations and community events.

Niluh Djelantik's commitment and political influence have not only earned her respect in her home country, but have also been recognised at national level. She is regarded as a pioneer for women in politics and inspires many to become actively involved in social and political processes.

But she is not only a politician, as Niluh Djelantik is also known for her innovative approach to traditional Balinese art and culture. She was born in the Bali region and grew up in a creative environment that shaped her passion for the arts. Mbok Niluh has particularly focussed on the art of batik and traditional Balinese painting and has tried to integrate these techniques into the modern world.

A striking feature of her work is the combination of traditional motifs and contemporary themes. She uses her works to tell stories about life in Bali, nature and spirituality. In addition, Mbok Niluh is heavily involved in the community, offering workshops for young artists and supporting projects aimed at preserving and passing on Bali's cultural heritage.

Niluh Djelantik has participated in numerous exhibitions, both nationally and internationally, and her work can be seen in various galleries and museums. Her art not only has aesthetic value, but also encourages reflection on cultural identity and sustainability. Through her creative projects, she has managed to promote interest in Balinese culture while bridging the gap between tradition and modernity.

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October 2024


In the coming winter semester, Dr. Benjamin Baumann, University of Heidelberg, is offering an online seminar on "Gender and Religion in Buddhist Southeast Asia" as part of the T(h)ai-Studies-Network-Germany (TSNG).

Time: Thursdays 10:00 – 12:00 Uhr (1st session 17. October 2024)

Abstract:


This seminar looks at the intersections of gender and religion in the predominantly Buddhist societies of mainland Southeast Asia. Buddhism is generally portrayed as a male dominated sphere of life. We will,
therefore, look at the roles Buddhism plays in imagining and reproducing manhood in Southeast Asia.However, this seminar will also look at the ways Buddhism influences imaginations of womanhood and how women preserve the Buddhist faith through their active roles as nuns or pious lay practitioners. Combining perspectives from anthropology and religious studies as well as gender and queer studies this seminar will also look at the increasingly prominent roles that transwomen and homosexual men are playing in spirit possession cults, magical ritual and healing traditions in the predominantly Theravada Buddhist cultures of mainland Southeast Asia. This rapidly growing phenomenon contrasts with much past research on religion and queer genders and sexualities in mainland Southeast Asia, with many earlier studies emphasizing the roles of female ritual specialists in spirit cults while queer studies has tended to view religion as intolerant of gender and sexual diversity.

Registration:
External students register directly with the lecturer by writing an email to: benjamin.baumann (at) eth.uni-heidelberg.de

 

Students from the IAAW can receive credit for the seminar in the ÜWP Module.

 

 

August 2024


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On August 22 at 18:00, Dr. Theara Thun will present his book Epistemology of the Past: Texts, History, and Intellectuals of Cambodia, 1855-1970.

The encounter of indigenous history-making tradition with Western historical practice has been long neglected in Southeast Asian scholarship. Epistemology of the Past: Texts, History, and Intellectuals of Cambodia, 1855–1970 offers one of the first critical and systematic studies of the interface between these two distinctive modes of historical presentation and their impacts on society. By examining historical discourses on Cambodia through the precolonial, colonial, and post-independence years, the book presents a compelling account of indigenous scholars, with varying perspectives, who advocated competing versions of history. It argues that precolonial history-making practices persisted alongside Western historical writings, leading to the development of a unique body of knowledge with its own distinct epistemology. The book makes an important contribution to scholarship on colonial and post-independence Southeast Asia, especially indigenous epistemologies, intellectual history, transculturation and translation, and on the collective historical imagination.

 

Link for the book: https://uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/epistemology-of-the-past-texts-history-and-intellectuals-of-cambodia-1850-1970/

 

July 2024


From July 2024, Dr Mezna Qato (UK) will work in Prof Dr Claudia Derichs' team for 18 months. Dr Qato has been awarded a Humboldt Research Fellowship for experienced researchers. She is an expert on the social history of Palestinians and will be working with us on the topic of Peasant Pedagogies: Khaduri School, Development and Rural Capitals in Palestine. Dr Qato's most recent work includes the monograph 'Education in Exile: Palestinians and the Politics of Regeneration'. It studies the education system developed for Palestinians in Jordan after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. With her work and expertise, Dr Qato is a welcome guest researcher for the field of 'Transregional Southeast Asian Studies', but can also dock onto other departments within our institute and the Berlin area.

 


On July 18th at 4:30 pm Dr. Zacky Khairul Umam of the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII, Depok) held the talk "With/out Europe: Rethinking Cosmopolitan Islam in Indonesia" in room 117 of the IAAW.

Dr. Zacky Khairul Umam is a lecturer in the Faculty of Islamic Studies at UIII. He studied Middle Eastern languages, history, and philosophy in Jakarta and Canberra, and pre-modern Islamic history and thought in Istanbul and Berlin. His current research areas include the intellectual history of Islam, manuscripts, and global history, especially between 1600 and 1900, for which he received several international research fellowships. In addition to his academic work, he comments and publishes on current issues in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. His forthcoming articles include an aspect of cosmopolitan Islam in Indonesia, the Islamic manuscript tradition in Aceh, and an African theology in Sumatra.

 

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On July 19th at 5 pm Nilanjana Sengupta, Ma Thida and Johanna Neumann held a dinner talk about Female Voices of Myanmar in Room 315 of the IAAW. Burmese Snacks were provided.
 
A talk that looks at how political and social forces have contributed and reinforced gender roles, inequalities and power dynamics down the years for Myanmar. It will travel back to the past to explore the structures of patriarchy and socialization which restricted women from attaining centralized leadership roles in the twin public domains of politics and religion, assess the messages of both female-empowerment and disempowerment that was represented by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as focus on the present - how women are taking the current political crisis as an opportunity to reshape the narrative of women’s role in society in addition to opposing the military takeover. Trends and pitfalls of the new era of female activism will be discussed and important insights into the debate on gender and political change in societies affected by conflict will be offered.

 

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On Tuesday, July 2 at 18:00, Professor Dr. Sven Trakulhun presented his new book Confronting Christianity. The Protestant Mission and the Buddhist Reform Movement in Nineteenth-Century Thailand in room 117 of the IAAW.

 

June 2024


 

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The German-Thai Society organized a weekend of activities in Berlin from 21 to 23 June. Events included a presentation of original Thai manuscripts at the State Library, an evening reception at the Royal Embassy of Thailand and a visit to the Humboldt Forum and Wat Buddhavihara. A big thank you to Martin Schalbruch, the lecturer for Thai language, for organizing these activities, which gave the students the opportunity to discover the diversity of Thai culture in Berlin!

 

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On June 6, Esie Hanstein was accepted as a member of the Berlin Committee for UNESCO Work, which has set itself the task of making the goals and work of UNESCO visible locally in Berlin. Membership is by nomination only.

Pada tanggal 6 Juni, Esie Hanstein diterima menjadi anggota Komite UNESCO Berlin, yang bertujuan untuk menyebarluaskan tujuan dan pekerjaan UNESCO di kota Berlin. Untuk menjadi anggota, kita hanya bisa diusulkan dan tidak bisa mencalonkan diri sendiri.

 

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Esie Hanstein, the Indonesian lecturer at the IAAW, was invited to Bellevue Palace on June 5 as part of the Week of the Environment and was even able to meet the Federal President briefly and present her projects "Strahlendes Lächeln e.V." for improving the health of orphans in Indonesia and the 17 Global Goals Song Project. It was even reported in the Indonesian press.


Esie Hanstein, dosen bahasa Indonesia di IAAW, diundang ke Istana Bellevue dua minggu yang lalu pada tanggal 5 Juni dalam rangka Pekan Lingkungan Hidup dan bahkan sempat bertemu dengan Presiden Federasi Jerman dan berbicara tentang proyek "Strahlendes Lächeln e.V." untuk meningkatkan kesehatan anak yatim piatu di Pontianak/Indonesia dan Proyek Lagu 17 Global Goals (Global Goals Song Project). Berita ini bahkan dimuat di media Indonesia.

 

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On June 1, the annual Thai Day took place at the University of Hamburg with the topic "Sustainable Development in Thailand: Social and Cultural Paths". Several IAAW students as well as the Thai language lecturers Martin Schalbruch and Chanikan Charoensri were present. Two students took part in a Thai reading competition sponsored by the Krohn Foundation. Sarah Thouard won 1st place and David Dietrich came 3rd. Congratulations to both students!

 

May 2024


From May 22 to 25, 2024, the fourth workshop of the DFG network "Global Qualitative Sociology" took place at Hong Kong Shue Yan University. At the event, PD Dr. Daniel Bultmann presented his ongoing research on the structure of Cambodia's machelite. The research is part of a DFG-funded comparative project dealing with a "Global Sociology of Elite Conflicts". Felipe Garcia and Fabio Braun Carrasco have also been working on this project since the beginning of the year. The two doctoral students are working on power elites in Argentina and transnational networks of neoliberal and libertarian elites.

 

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On May 22, 2024, Dr. Soe Tjen Marching gave a lecture on the elections in Indonesia.


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By invitation of the Indonesian Nahdlatul Ulama (Reawakening of Islamic Scholars), the world's largest Islamic non-governmental organization, Dr. Amanda tho Seeth gave the closing words at the opening ceremony for the exhibition “Voices of Archipelago” at Bronbeek Museum in Arnhem, Netherlands, on May 4th. The exhibition presents the diversity of lived Javanese Islam, illustrated through historical exhibits and contemporary art. The exhibition was part of the “Festival Islam Nusantara”, which took place throughout May 2024 at various locations in the Netherlands. The festival intended to promote Indonesia and its indigenous Islamic culture in Europe. The Bronbeek Museum´s permanent exhibition is on the Dutch colonial history in Indonesia.

 

March 2024


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On March 17, 2024, Esie Hanstein was also interviewed on Indonesian television (from minute 54: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy5HhtiCzmY). In August, Esie Hanstein is interviewed on television in Indonesia together with the ophthalmologists and dermatologists about the projects in Pontianak, and in September she is invited to give lectures on social engagement and Indonesian language teaching in Germany at the Universitas Atma Jaya in Jakarta, at the Universitas Islam Indonesia in Yogyakarta and at the Universitas Muhammadiyah in Surakarta.

 

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On March 15th, as part of the roundtable “Religious Diplomacy in Asia” at the annual meeting of the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) in Seattle, USA, Dr. Amanda tho Seeth gave a lecture entitled “Indonesia's Islam Diplomacy”. The roundtable brought together leading international experts in the field of religious diplomacy research. The individual presentations and the subsequent discussion made demonstrated that religious values ​​and actors are playing an increasing role in international relations that are often perceived as secular. 

 

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On March 14, 2024, Esie Hanstein then presented her projects "Strahlendes Lächeln e.V." for improving the health of orphans in Pontianak/Indonesia and the 17 Global Goals Song Project as part of the World Social Work Day in Jakarta.

Pada tanggal 14 Maret 2024, ia kemudian mempresentasikan proyeknya "Strahlendes Lächeln e.V." untuk meningkatkan kesehatan anak yatim piatu di Pontianak/Indonesia dan Proyek Lagu 17 Global Goals sebagai bagian dari World Social Work Days di Jakarta

 

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On March 13, 2024, Esie Hanstein gave a lecture at the UIN Syarif Hidayatullah in Jakarta to over 100 students on the topic of "Strategies and tips for teaching Indonesian at university in Germany".

Pada tanggal 13 Maret 2024, Esie Hanstein memberikan kuliah tentang "Strategi dan kiat-kiat mengajar bahasa Indonesia di universitas Jerman" kepada lebih dari 100 mahasiswa di UIN Syarif Hidayatullah di Jakarta.

 

Important notice


The M.A. South and Southeast Asian Studies will no longer be offered from the winter semester 2021/22. Instead, the IAAW will offer a Master's in Asia-Africa Studies from the winter semester 2021/22, with the possibility to specialize in one region. You can find more information here: https://www.iaaw.hu-berlin.de/de/studium/ma/institut/m-a-asien-afrikastudien