The Institute of Asian Studies at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (IAS @ UBD) recently held a seminar on “Reframing Ambedkar: The Mediation of Visual Methods in Case Studies” by Dr Marcelo Schellini, FASS, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
The Institute of Asian Studies at Universiti Brunei Darussalam is pleased to announce the publication of IAS Working Paper No. 91: Faith and Fortitude: Understanding Malay Muslim Widows in Brunei Through Their Embodiment of Redha by Hanis Syaheerah Ikhwani binti Haji Dayang. Please see below for details. Download the Working Paper Abstract: This paper aims to gain a deeper understanding of the sociocultural context surrounding the lived experiences of widowhood among Malay Muslim women in Brunei. Beyond a widow’s grief, influences outside their control, such as culture, religion, and broader societal factors, also shape their experiences of widowhood. It is…
Senior Assistant Professor and Director of the Institute of Asian Studies Koh Sin Yee recently published a co-edited volume entitled Migration Studies and the Decolonial Challenge. The book is co-edited with Professor Francis Collins (University of Auckland, New Zealand) and Professor Brenda Yeoh (National University of Singapore, Singapore). The book asks: How can migration studies respond to the decolonial challenge? The book features contributions from migration studies scholars based in Australia, Brunei, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. In this collection of chapters, the book confronts issues of ongoing colonialism and offers a re-evaluation of…
Discover the latest iASIA Newsletter (Issue 2026-01) – a lively glimpse into a year of ideas, achievements, and transitions at the Institute of Asian Studies (IAS). From celebrating ten years of the Asia in Transition series and a major international workshop to new publications, student milestones, and reflections on regional studies, this issue captures how IAS continues to connect research, people, and regional conversations. Click to read.
The Institute of Asian Studies at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (IAS @ UBD) recently held a seminar on “The River as Method: Revisiting Asian Studies” by Assoc. Prof. Iftekhar Iqbal, FASS, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
Senior Assistant Professor and Director of the Institute of Asian Studies Koh Sin Yee recently published a journal article entitled "Racial Sensemaking and International Student Mobility: Mainland Chinese Students in Singapore and Malaysia Navigating Multiculturalism and Multiracialism" in Ethnic and Racial Studies (Q1, Scopus). The article is co-authored with Madeleine Shutler (National University of Singapore) and Professor Brenda Yeoh (National University of Singapore).The article uses the concept of racial sensemaking (i.e. a subjective, meaning-making process through which people interpret and explain racial experiences) to comparatively analyse the reflexive experiences of multiculturalism and multiracialism amongst mainland Chinese international students in Singapore and Malaysia who were interviewed in 2023-2024.Through foregrounding micro-level experiences of multiculturalism and…
The Institute of Asian Studies at Universiti Brunei Darussalam is pleased to announce the publication of IAS Working Paper No. 90: Brunei’s Digital Voices: Uncovering Algospeak and how TikTok consumers drive language change by Nur Hayati binti Mohd Yusof . Please see below for details. Download the Working Paper Abstract:This paper investigates the role of TikTok content consumers in Brunei in shaping digital language through the emergence of Algospeak - a coded linguistic practice developed to evade algorithmic censorship. While prior research has focused predominantly on content creators and Western contexts, the following study addresses a critical gap by examining how…
The Institute of Asian Studies at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (IAS @ UBD) recently held a seminar on “The Myth of Homogeneity: Asian Values and the Cultural Limits of the “Global South”” by Prof. Chang-Yau Hoon, Visiting Professor at IAS, Universiti Brunei Darussalam; Professor and Director of the International Office at Singapore University of Social Sciences.
The Institute of Asian Studies at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (IAS @ UBD) recently held a seminar on “Colonial Photography: hendrik Tillema in Search of the Exotic and the Ethical” by Prof. Victor T. King, IAS, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
IAS said an emotional farewell to its longest serving member Prof. Lian Kwen Fee. He has contributed immeasurably to IAS since its founding, not only as an exceptional colleague and mentor but a major driver of our academic endeavours. His scholarly dedication and collegiality have left a lasting impact on all of us and a deep-seated legacy for IAS. We would like to take this opportunity to salute his achievements and extend our warmest wishes on his retiral.