NEWS

Students studying the Middle East and Muslim societies in Professor Takuro Kikkawa's seminar participated in the 15th Conference of the Asian Federation of Middle East Studies Associations (AFMA) held in Kyoto on 7th and 8th December 2024. AFMA is a consortium of Middle East studies associations from Japan, South Korea, China and Mongolia, and a conference is held every two years. The conference covers many topics, including Middle Eastern politics, security, economics, and history, and it is conducted entirely in English. The students took part in the symposium on the first day, and on the following day, they attended breakout sessions according to their research interests. It was an opportunity for them to hear the latest research results from leading researchers from across Asia, and they could actively ask questions and deepen their exchanges. For these students preparing for their graduation theses, participation in AFMA was a great encouragement for their future research.

The impressions and thoughts of the students who participated in AFMA are as follows.

Iwasaki Hana, International Relations major:

“As I am interested in Turkish policy, I was particularly interested in the presentations on Turkish studies. I was able to come into contact with high-quality research, including presentations by Dr. Kohei Imai and Dr. Masamichi Iwasaka, pioneers in Turkish studies in Asia. As I write an undergraduate thesis on Turkish nationalism, Dr. Imai's research on Neo-Ottomanism was an excellent opportunity for me to gain new insights. After the presentations, we discussed the news of the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. In my future research, I want to use the discussions on issues such as the Syrian refugee crisis and the Kurdish issue.”

Sawhney Amreen Kaur, International Relations major:

“Engaging with researchers at AFMA in Kyoto has provided valuable insights that helped me refine my thesis towards a more realistic research target - practising restraint and reconciling it with available data on the Arab Peninsula. Attending sessions on social and cultural issues in the Middle East broadened my understanding of the region, as I was previously focused on economic and political dimensions only, allowing me to incorporate nuanced perspectives into shaping the controlled variables in my study. A standout moment was meeting Dr. Ahn Soyeon and learning about her innovative methodologies for measuring the role of civil society in political development, which greatly inspired me as a young and aspiring researcher. Overall, the experience not only enriched my thesis but also enhanced my academic presentation skills, equipping me with tools for clearer and more impactful communication.
Lastly, I would like to thank Professor Kikkawa for giving us this opportunity of experiencing academia in action, which not only serves as a source of continued learning, but also as inspiration for the power of such discourse.”

Ananda Tasya Eka Syafitri, International Relations major:

“Participating in the AFMA conference in Kyoto has truly broadened my horizons and sparked a renewed motivation in my academic journey. It was a great experience to interact with the researchers and PhD professors who were not only learned but also passionate about their work. I understood the significance of developing solid grounding research skills to design and execute my own thesis from them. Getting to see their innovative approaches and critical perspectives really showed the depth and rigor to which research could be taken to effect, and this has certainly been a positive spur to me to go back and improve as well as refine my own academic methods.
Two keynote speakers, in particular, left a profound impact on me. Professor Koo Gi Yeon from Seoul National University delivered an insightful panel on Civil Disobedience and Global Solidarity in the Iranian Hijab Protest. She shed light on the restricted rights of women in the Middle East, not only highlighted the resilience of women in oppressive environments but also emphasized the role of global solidarity in advocating for their rights.
On the other hand, I was able to attend a very interesting presentation by Professor Ellie from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem who talked about Israel and Indonesia: From Clandestine to Public Relations (1950-2024). It was great to get such a detailed account of Indonesia’s diplomatic history from a international point of view, particularly from someone who is not from the ASEAN region.
Overall, this conference not only enhanced my understanding of complex socio-political issues but also strengthened my academic skills. I am deeply grateful to Professor Kikkawa for providing us with this invaluable opportunity.”