Asian Heritage Month
May is Asian Heritage Month and is an opportunity to learn more about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage who, throughout history, have made tremendous contributions to the country.
Discover how Concordia's Asian community has made its mark at the university, in Montreal and beyond.
Academic and Research Initiatives
Alice Ming Wai Jim – Art History & Curatorial Practice
Alice Ming Wai Jim holds the Concordia University Research Chair in Critical Curatorial Studies and Decolonizing Art Institutions. Her research delves into contemporary Asian and Asian Canadian art, diaspora, and ethnocultural art histories. She co-founded the Journal of Asian Diasporic Visual Cultures and the Americas and has curated exhibitions addressing themes like migration, identity, and anti-Asian racism.
Preserving Montreal’s Chinatown – Urban Research & Community Engagement
Associate professor Pierre Gauthier collaborates with the Jia Foundation to document and preserve Montreal’s Chinatown amid gentrification pressures. His work includes mapping historical buildings and public spaces, and developing interactive tools to visualize the impact of urban development on this cultural enclave.
Balbir K. Singh – Diasporic Cultural Studies
Balbir K. Singh is an assistant professor in the department of Art History and focuses on Asian and Arab diasporic cultural studies. Her research encompasses race, affect, aesthetics, visual and material cultures, and anti-colonial methodologies, contributing to a deeper understanding of diasporic identities and experiences.
Championing Student Engagement
As a student in Applied Human Sciences and former president of the AHSC Student Association, Hellen Vu revitalized key events and fostered a strong sense of community among her peers. Her leadership extended to HackConcordia, where, as Director of Sponsorship, she secured major partners like Ubisoft and Sun Life. Balancing academics, part-time work, and multiple leadership roles, Hellen's dedication earned her the 2025 CCSL Outstanding Contribution Award.
Celebrating the rich cultural contributions of FOCUS
Edgar Maldo, the Vice-President of Internal Affairs at the Filipino Organization of Concordia University Students (FOCUS) sits down with former member, Kiara Palanca, BA 20. They discuss their experiences as Filipino students organizing at Concordia.
Summer Field Schools
Make in Japan
May 8, 2025 - May 24, 2025
In this 3 credit course students will discover Japanese culture and its cultural manifestations through a variety of mediums, including design, architecture, space, art, fashion, visual communication, interaction and game design.
Concordia in China
May 11, 2025 - June 7, 2025
A 4-week program hosted on the Chinese Communication University's (CUC) campus comprised of one Chinese language course (6 credits).
Learn
Read
Explore a curated collection of books and articles by the Concordia Library that shed light on the significance of Asian Heritage Month and more.
Watch. Listen.
Stop and set aside some time today and beyond, to learn about past and present Asian histories and cultural heritage. The Concordia Library has these recommendations for you.
Join the conversation
Encountering Rapid Mobility and World-Classness in Transport Paraphernalia
PhD candidate Yogi Joseph talks about the discourse around planning and implementation of mass transit projects in Indian cities.
Days of Significance
In alignment with our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, Concordia recognizes a range of cultural and historical observances throughout the year.