The second phase of the Young Global Researchers Project (YGRP), “Changemakers in the Community (2)”, was launched in late May, 2023, with an online meeting for all the student participants, along with their faculty advisors, from each university. Four of the institutions involved in this phase of the project are members of the Asia-Pacific University Community Engagement Network (APUCEN) along with invited member institutions from Mexico and Zimbabwe. The participants represent a truly global gathering, with a total of 33 undergraduate students and 16 faculty advisors from six different countries.
Following the launch, pairs of students from each of the institutions conducted secondary and primary source research in the field on a specific issue, interviewing, and often volunteering with, an organization connected to their given theme. The overall theme for this year was “Migrants, Minorities and the Marginalized”, with sub-themes of “Work, Health and Education.” Each pair of students was also matched with a student pair from another institution in a different country, with the intention of facilitating both a communicative and collaborative approach to researching on a joint theme. Therefore, each report in this year’s body of work includes a “Reflection” section with comparative analysis of the issues on the themes for each international pairing.
Further online Zoom sessions were given in June and July, where all participants were given opportunities to discuss the issues and deliver research updates with their peers. Following the fieldwork activities, and with the guidance of their faculty advisors, participants then compiled written reports, with transcribed interviews, photos and supplementary material. The majority of reports were submitted on, or close to the deadline in late-August, and were thereafter proofed and edited by the lead researchers’ team in Kyoto. The contents of this publication showcase the fruits of their endeavors and we are sure it will be of considerable interest to members of both academia and the general public.
YGRP Zoom Event in July 2023 (click to enlarge)
Faculty Advisors
Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
Kevin Ramsden, Professor
Aaron Campbell, Associate Professor
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Dr. Paramjit Singh Jamir Singh, Associate Professor
Dr. Mohamad Shaharudin Samsurijan, Associate Professor
Dr. Adul Rais Abdul Latiff
Dr. Radin Firdaus Radin Badaruddin
Dr. Boo Harn Shian
University of Surabaya
Dr. Delta Ardy Prima, Assistant Professor
Dr. Hazrul Iswadi
Mr. Muhammad Insan Tarigan, Lecturer
San Pedro College
Dr. Jasmen S. Pasia
Mr. Remark Z Mortalla (Director of CEES)
Dr. Chalee Reyes
Great Zimbabwe University
Mrs. Phyllis Mawere, Lecturer
Thelma Dhlomo, Associate Professor
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente
Sofia Meza Mejia, Professor
Carlos Cordero Garcia, Professor
Proofreaders
Mr. Duncan Flett
Ms. Audrey Flett