People
News
13 Feb 2026
A new report released by IAP, ISC and SCGES shows that in leadership roles, governing bodies, and senior positions and awards women presence is still modest.
12 Feb 2026
Ateneo de Manila University
New research examines how carceral punishment in Philippine jails extends far beyond legal sentences by permeating every bodily sense.
04 Feb 2026
Springer Nature
Nearly 40% of new cancer cases worldwide in 2022 may be associated with modifiable risk factors, according to an analysis of 36 cancer types from 185 countries, published in Nature Medicine. The findings suggest that reducing exposures such as tobacco smoking, certain infections, and alcohol use remains essential for cancer prevention.
04 Feb 2026
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
- Demonstrated competitiveness in interdisciplinary medical technology from research to industry through magnetic-based next-generation medical technology.
- Joined one of the most prestigious medical societies in Korea for interdisciplinary medical and engineering research.
04 Feb 2026
Accredited members of the media are invited to attend the Canada-in-Asia Conferences 2026 in Singapore, hosted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada)
03 Feb 2026
Ateneo de Manila University
How do online and offline narratives—from political speeches to news coverage to social media talk— make and unmake a democracy?
03 Feb 2026
ISGlobal, supported by Rockefeller Foundation, analyzed impact of severe global aid cuts in 93 countries, with 21 in Asia. New study published in The Lancet finds slashing global aid, particularly by US and European countries, will reverse decades of progress in fighting diseases.
03 Feb 2026
The University of Osaka
Researchers from The University of Osaka compared psychological ratings of various words from humans and large language models (LLMs) along different dimensions in order to compare the ways in which they conceptualize words. Human and LLM ratings aligned closely for some attributes (such as concreteness) but diverged significantly for others (such as iconicity). This work reveals which linguistic features may be reliably estimated using LLMs.
02 Feb 2026
Hiroshima University
Hiroshima University researchers developed a three-factor, 12-item, questionnaire-based scale to systematically assess nursing practices that support fertility preservation decision-making in women with cancer. They show that such decision-making can be clearly defined, measured, and improved.
02 Feb 2026
Duke-NUS Medical School
With one in four Singaporeans expected to be 65 and above by 2030, Duke-NUS' inaugural ageing conference addressed themes such as technology, dementia care and social connectedness.
Duke-NUS’ Centre for Ageing Research & Education marks its 10th anniversary, with the conference highlighting the need for innovative policies and practices to enhance the quality of life for Singapore's ageing population.
27 Jan 2026
Osaka Metropolitan University
Region-specific residential buildings solution optimizes energy-efficiency and thermal comfort
27 Jan 2026
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
- “Neuro-Replica Workshop” successfully held at DGIST on the 21st…
KRW 15.3 billion investment over 9 years
- Keynote address by world-renowned scholar Professor Denis Noble of the University of Oxford. Discussed the revitalization of the regional industrial ecosystem
26 Jan 2026
Osaka Metropolitan University
Smokers could be at higher risk of post-COVID symptoms
25 Jan 2026
Lingnan University
On 11 January 2026, Lingnan University’s Department of Psychology and the Wu Jieh Yee School of Interdisciplinary Studies, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Society of Sport & Exercise Psychology (HKSSEP), hosted a seminar titled "The Importance of Sports and Exercise Psychology in Modern Tertiary Education". The seminar attracted approximately 60 attendees, including students from psychology and sports-related programmes, as well as members of the general public who are interested in the subject of sport and exercise psychology.
22 Jan 2026
Hand-stencil motifs found in caves in Sulawesi, Indonesia, dating to at least 67,800 years ago, may be the oldest rock art discovered, according to a study published in Nature.
22 Jan 2026
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
- Calls on DGIST to serve as a key driver in fostering the AI ecosystem as a national future strategy
- Founding Chair of the DGIST Development Foundation Choong Kon Lee demonstrates exceptional commitment to nurturing talent
21 Jan 2026
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Myanmar’s digital ecosystem has been a lifeline for many, from education to community and humanitarian support, bringing a sense of stability in the midst of chaos. Alas, it is also a tool for repression, crime, and abuse. IDRC’s Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar has supported researchers looking into these complex issues.
21 Jan 2026
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Hiraku Nakajima, a mathematician and current President of the International Mathematical Union, talks about how mathematics has been developing quietly before society’s eyes, and where he wants it to go in the future.
21 Jan 2026
Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Innovative approaches in cancer screening, drug development, and radioactive hazard protection are accelerating healthcare solutions.
19 Jan 2026
Lingnan University
Lingnan University held its Honorary Fellowship Presentation Ceremony today, 19 January. The Hon Andrew Yao Cho-fai, Council Chairman of Lingnan University, conferred honorary fellowships upon four distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding professional achievements and valuable contributions to the community and to education.
19 Jan 2026
Osaka Metropolitan University
COVID era survey explores care burdens young carers face
15 Jan 2026
Lingnan University
Lingnan University will confer honorary doctoral degrees on six distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements and valuable contributions to humanity.
They are Dr Fok Chun-wan, SBS, JP, a well-known patriotic businessman; Dr Li Ning, an entrepreneur; The Hon Liao Cheung-kong Martin, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Prof Tao Tang, an academic leader; Prof Wang Anyi, one of the very best writers in the contemporary literary scene; and Mr Donnie Yen, an international action star.
13 Jan 2026
Lingnan University
In many organisations, significant hierarchical gaps exist within work teams, raising the question of how frontline employees can strive for greater opportunities for upward mobility in their careers. A recent study by the Department of Psychology at Lingnan University finds that employees who proactively seek work resources in their jobs, are willing to learn, and at the same time possess higher emotional intelligence, have significantly higher job performance and work engagement. The research team points out that these strategies help employees create more favourable conditions for long-term career development in complex workplace environments. The research findings have been published in top-tier international academic journal Journal of Business and Psychology.
08 Jan 2026
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
- Professor Sunghoon Im’s research team to advance AI technology for generating highly realistic, natural videos
- Joint research team led by Professors Daehee Park and Jisoo Mok to develop safe collaborative intelligence for robots working alongside humans
08 Jan 2026
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
- Recognized for their precision medicine and all-solid-state battery technologies: Full commencement of R&D collaboration between the private sector and government
08 Jan 2026
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
- Presenting Vision to Become a “Global University Leading AX Innovation” in New Year Address
08 Jan 2026
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
- From briquette and bread sharing services to the Fruit of Love fund, DGIST continues social contribution activities.
08 Jan 2026
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
- Securing core technology for brain chips used by patients and speeding up the commercialization of humanoid-related technologies.
08 Jan 2026
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
DGIST Professors Byeongmoon Lee and Chanyeon Kim develop ultra-immersive XR interfaces and carbon-neutral refrigerant technology.
Events

07 Jul 2021
The 1st ALTERSEA conference aims to bring together researchers from around the world to reflect on the main issues studied by the Observatory in Southeast Asia: social movements and social activism, as well as less visible initiatives, marginal or infra-political forms of protest and resistance, and what we might consider social systems of political regulation.
24 May 2021
The webinar organised by Universities UK International (UUKi) will take place on Monday 24 May 2021 at 8:30-10:30am (UK time). The webinar focusses on Japan-UK research collaboration and is open to UK and Japan based researchers, and university research managers.
25 Mar 2021
The Irrawaddy and SEA Junction have joined together to provide bi-weekly updates on the latest developments in Myanmar.
16 Mar 2021
In times that the Mekong has just dropped to worrying levels, we hope that the issue is brought into wider attention through this 2-week long exhibition.
18 Feb 2021
Alter Sea, in collaboration with SEA Junction, Fiskom Uksw and Centre Asie du Sud-Est, is pleased to invite you to attend the webinar titled “Alternative Solutions in Facing Covid-19 Across Southeast Asia”. The event will take place on February 18 at 3 pm.
21 Oct 2021
Call for Papers for 2021 conference: People, Power, Politics, Pandemics and Other Perils in Southeast Asia. The event will take place on 21-24 October 2021 at University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada. Deadline: Thursday 8 April 2021. Submit from the link below.
12 Jan 2021
Organised by the National Research Foundation – Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore, the ninth edition of the Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS@one-north) will take place 12 to 15 January 2021 as a virtual event.
15 Dec 2020
The exhibition provides a platform to showcase the images and stories of migrant workers taken on the field. Opening of photo exhibition is on 15th December 5.30pm - 6.30pm at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.

09 Dec 2019
The ASEAN Emerging Researchers Conference is a flagship programme of the ASEAN Young Scientists Network; the official platform for young researchers in the region.

19 Feb 2019
Forum organised by University of Malaya, 19th February 2019

20 Jan 2019
The Summit provides a platform for conversations on science and research, technology innovation and society, and solutions to global challenges.

11 Dec 2018
The International Network for Government Science Advice Capacity Building Workshop for South Asia on the 11th and 12th of December 2018 at the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.

21 Apr 2018
We would like to invite you to prepare a proposal for the 11th International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS). ICAS attracts participants from over 60 countries to engage in global dialogues on Asia that transcend boundaries between academic disciplines and geographic areas. Meeting place for the 11th edition of ICAS is Leiden, the Netherlands.

20 Jun 2018
The 4th Annual AIDF Asia Summit, hosted by the Aid and International Development Forum (AIDF), will be held on the 20-21 June 2018 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.

23 Apr 2018
2018 Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit to Showcase Approaches to Balancing Economic Growth, Forest Conservation and Human Well-Being.

20 Apr 2018
Japan SciCom Forum 2018, 20 April Tokyo: perspectives on global outreach, hands-on sessions with experts in global press, discussion and community-building: everything for your science communication needs!

17 Jan 2018
We are pleased to invite applications for a six days intensive, interactive In Situ Graduate School in Vietnam on Delta Cities.

06 Jul 2018
The world’s largest technological extravaganza which serves as a platform for tech enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds to learn, collaborate and create the future.

08 Oct 2018
Asia's largest education conference and exhibition

07 Aug 2018
The objective of the MySEC Conference is to promote and encourage all aspects of software engineering and its associated technologies, applications, and tools.

13 Nov 2018
Attended by leaders in higher education to discuss topics of interest while offering opportunities for professional development and capacity building.

25 Sep 2018
The World Social Science Forum 2018 is the fourth in a series of international, interdisciplinary social science conferences focusing on contemporary global challenges. The Forum will address the issue of security for all people in an equitable and sustainable world.

07 Mar 2018
In this fast paced era, the economy is going digital, the business is going Virtual and Artificial Intelligence is transforming everything. It is time for PAs and administrative personnel to evolve to be the most valuable employees in the office.
Researchers
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
Professor Chou has wide research interests in areas concerning geriatric psychiatry, elderly policies, population policy especially immigrant policy, poverty, welfare reform, income inequality and health policy.
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
Dr Esther Lau specializes in clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology. Currently, her primary line of research aims to uncover some of the complex relationships between sleep, emotional and cognitive functioning.
Lingnan University
Professor Yeh is a recognized specialist in Chinese and Asian cinema studies.
The University of Tokyo
Lian is an IT professional with a bachelor's in Computer Science at De La Salle University and a masters in Information Studies at The University of Tokyo. She had previously handled professional projects in culture-based conservation and blended learning. She is currently based in Chiba, Japan as a research student in Sustainability Science at UTokyo's Kashiwa campus. Her research focuses on educational technology for sustainable development (ICT4Ed and ESD). Aside from her day job, Lian enjoys painting and has participated in a number of exhibitions in her hometown, Davao City.
Gender Equality Network (GEN)
May Sabe Phyu is Director of the Gender Equality Network and a recipient of International Women of Courage Award as well as the Global Trailblazer Award for her role in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Myanmar.
Ismene Gizelis is professor at the Department of Government in the University of Essex. Her main research interests are in conflict dynamics, peacekeeping, gender equality and post-conflict reconstruction, and communicable diseases. For the most up to date details, please see my personal webpage: http://tigizelis.com.
Duke-NUS Medical School
Semra Ozdemir is an Assistant Professor at Lien Centre for Palliative Care and the Signature Programme in Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS. Her main research areas are medical decision making and health economics
Lingnan University
Prof. Maggie Lau has an extensive research and teaching experience in development and policy studies, poverty and social exclusion, children and youth well-being.
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK)
Prof. Chen's research interests are in corporate finance and financial accounting, including management compensation, corporate innovation, audit quality and pricing, earnings management, corporate disclosure, and more.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Dr. Connie Cassy Ompok is an early childhood education expert and a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology and Education, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. She Started her career in Early Childhood Education as a preschool teacher (2004-2007), a lecturer in early childhood education at the Malaysian Institute of Teacher Education (2008-2016) before serving as a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at UMS (2016 until now).
Advanced Centre for Sustainable Socio-Economic and Technological Development (ASSET), University of Technology Sarawak (UTS)
Dr. Tariq is a Professor in the School of Computing and Creative Media, University of Technology Sarawak, Sibu Malaysia. He has 20 years of experience working as a lecturer, researcher, consultant and development practitioner with indigenous and underserved communities of Malaysia, Namibia and Pakistan. His research interests include Indigenous Knowledge Management (Governance), Community-based Co-design (HCI), Rural ICT, Community Informatics and ICT4D.
Alexandre Pelletier's research is on religious violence, ethnic conflict, and peace in Southeast Asia, with a focus on Indonesia and Myanmar, where he has conducted extensive fieldwork. He has a Ph.D. in political science from University of Toronto and is currently Senior Researcher and Managing Director at the Postcor Lab based at the University of Toronto. He is also a visiting fellow at the Southeast Asia Program at Cornell University.
I'm Senior Lecturer at the School of East Asian Studies, University of Sheffiield. I research and teach about post-developmental Japan in the Asia-Pacific region.
Dr. Shreshth Chhabra holds a PhD degree in Labour welfare. He has a teaching experience of almost 21 years and taught at undergraduate, Post graduate, Executive Programme, PhD coursework level and guided research projecs. In his present assignment, he is associated with DCBS, an affiliate college of De Montfort University, UK. He was associated with a Renaissance university as Coordinator Research wing and PhD supervisor. He has published in national and international Journals, Conferences and dailies. He is associated as reviewer in two international prestigious journals – Global Journal of Labour, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa and Journal of HRM, Science publishing group, New York, USA. He has conducted MDPs for MSME , State Electricity Board, Police and other corporate as well. He has been recognized by Rotary Club, Amity Business School and EMG-SSM Trust.
Nisha Arunatilake has been a Research Fellow at IPS since 2000 and was appointed as the Director of Research in January 2018. She has extensive post-doctoral experience in conducting policy related economic research in labour market analysis, education, public finance and health.
I am a sociologist studying domestic violence and sexual violence situations and measures in Japan, and am the director of two NGOs, All Japan Women’s Shelter Network and Rape Crisis Center in Hiroshima. As an NGO activist, we, All Japan Women’s Shelter Network, submitted “The Request for the Prevention of DV and Child Abuse under the Condition of Novel Coronavirus Countermeasures” to the Japanese government on March 30. This letter of request drew more attention than we expected, and many newspapers and TV quickly covered the issue. A lot of people have talked about this online. The prime minister and minister of gender equality have since addressed the issue in statements, and the Cabinet has approved emergency funding for expanded consultation services.
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
I have researched and published extensively on informal sector workers, especially women workers and I understand the their precarity of work and lives. I have also been working on the vulnerability of Internally Displaced People and those affected by mass sectarian violence. COVID-19 impacts these groups very significantly and in very specific ways.
For the past twenty years, I have led a research team at Tufts University that conducts randomized controlled field experiments on various interventions designed to improve conditions of work in global supply chains, particularly in industries such as apparel dominated by women. Our ranges from social compliance to health interventions.
I have nearly two decades of professional experience studying the changing trends in the world of work. This includes a specialized focus on how trends like technology, urbanization, restructuring of trade into global value chains, migration and climate change affect women’s work, and the opportunities and challenges that women face to equal and productive participation in labour markets.
In my research on urban poor communities and families, I have highlighted the leadership roles of women in organizing and demanding services. I have written many academic and advocacy articles to show why passage of the Reproductive Health Bill in 2012 was essential especially for women’s wellbeing.
National University of Singapore
I work at the intersection of Business, Medicine and Environment. Many of the world’s current problems are best addressed from multiple perspectives. I examine issues ranging from sustainable development, pandemics, diversity, environment, social innovation and philanthropy, and suggest how we can do better.
The Asian Institute of Technology
My research is on women migrant factory workers as well as women in fisheries in the Mekong region, Thailand, where I have been studying for the last decade through various research projects. These group of women workers are the most dynamic as well as vulnerable in the region.
I am the Head of Advocacy, Research, and Communications at AWARE, the Association of Women for Action and Research. Before joining AWARE, I worked on women's rights and child rights in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the United States. At AWARE, I deal with workplace sexual harassment cases, sexual harassment, public communications and more.
I am Professor of Communication & Technology and Head of Cluster (Dean) of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. From 2003 to 2016, I was Assistant then Associate Professor at the Department of Communications & New Media; and from 2014 to 2016, Assistant Dean for Research at the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, National University of Singapore.
Prof Yow is the Head of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and leads the SUTD Language and Social Cognition Lab where they look at how language impacts on our cognitive functioning and understanding of the social world. Her research focuses on exploring and studying patterns of dual language use, how language environment may influence how children perceive communicative cues and how technology influences the way we communicate, and how it can be harnessed in ways that can improve or slow down the decline of cognition and social cognition.
Assoc Prof Tuncer is the Capstone program director at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Director of the Informed Design Lab, which works on using data for informed architectural and urban spaces. Using computation, the lab looks at how they can strengthen and automate some things in urban design by building models and testing them better for human use, human perception, human comfort before actual constructions.
Professor Nilanjan published a study which yielded findings on how individuals with a higher socioeconomic status (SES) are more likely to have jobs that provide opportunities for remote work to be performed, which allows for social distancing during the pandemic. Her study also explores how likely individuals with low SES will begin to break social distancing measures and be exposed to a greater risk of infection, but those with high SES are able to circumvent this problem.
My research focuses on the intersection between mobility, public space, and technological innovation. One of my current projects explores the role of the gig economy for women’s empowerment in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. I am especially curious to see how home-based gig work relate street vending, a typically women-based activity.
1. An Applied Statistician and Operation Research specialist with 35 years of
experience in academic teaching, corporate consultancy, and professional
training.
2. Conducted sessions for women and senior citizens on mental health and coping skills.
3. An awardee of the Statistical Capacity Building award by the World
Bank.
4. Published technical articles in reputed journals as well as authored books and book chapters
5. Published author with nearly 3600 articles in leading newspapers and magazines in India.
Masako Tanaka is a practitioner, activist and academic focusing on gender and migration issues in Japan. She is a professor at the Department of Global Studies at Sophia University, Japan.
Giants in history
Vietnamese surgeon Tôn Thất Tùng (10 May 1912 – 7 May 1982) developed a pioneering technique that reduced the risks and mortality rate of liver operations.
Michiaki Takahashi (17 February 1928 – 16 December 2013) was a Japanese virologist who developed the first chickenpox vaccine.
Maggie Lim (5 January 1913 – November 1995) was a Singaporean physician who promoted family planning and expanded the access to clinics to improve the quality of life for mothers and children in Singapore’s early days.
The founder of the Adyar Cancer Institute in India, Muthulakshmi Reddy (30 July 1886 – 22 July 1968), fought to uplift women and girls from impoverished situations.
Through her iconic stories featuring fictional scenes from the history of the Philippines, language teacher and academic Genoveva Matute (3 January 1915 – 21 March 2009) helped strengthen the Filipino identity.
Rajeshwari Chatterjee (24 January 1922 – 3 September 2010) was the first female engineer from Karnataka in India.
U Hla Myint (1920 – 2017) was a celebrated economist from Myanmar. Considered a prodigy, he was admitted to Rangoon University to study economics when he was just 14 years old. He went on to earn a Ph.D. at the London School of Economics (LSE).
Little is known about Ali, a teenager from Sarawak, Malaysia, who was chief assistant to the famous naturalist Alfred Wallace. Most of what is known comes from Wallace’s writings. Ali accompanied Wallace on expeditions throughout the Malay Archipelago from December 1855 to February 1862.
Indian scientist and physician Upendranath Brahmachari (19 December 1873–6 February 1946) is best known for creating a drug called Urea Stibamine, used to safely and reliably treat visceral leishmaniasis (or Kala-azar), a severe infection caused by the Leishmania parasite.
Sir Mokshagundam Srinivasa Shastry Vishveshwarayya (15 September 1860 – 14 April 1962) is widely regarded as India’s most outstanding engineer. In a career that spanned almost his entire life, Vishveshwarayya played a pivotal role in several engineering projects, including designing the Krishnarajasagara dam that is still the source of irrigation and drinking water for parts of Karnataka today.
Tsuneko (7 June 1933) and Reiji Okazaki (8 October 1930 – 1 August 1975) were a Japanese couple who discovered Okazaki fragments – short sequences of DNA that are synthesized during DNA replication and linked together to form a continuous strand.








































































