Workshop Overview

On June 3, at Balaton, Révfülöp, the first workshop was held exclusively for eight Asian PhD authors studying in Hungary. This workshop’s primary goal was to support and guide these authors in integrating the “Asia as Method” framework and self-reflection into their chapters. This session was designed to be more elaborate, allowing for in-depth feedback and significant interaction. The focused and intensive nature of this workshop was instrumental in helping the authors refine their work and enhance the quality of their chapters. The session commenced with an introduction by János Setényi and Gábor Halász, setting the stage for a series of insightful presentations.

The morning sessions featured diverse topics:

–          Finding oneself while transition: a journey of becoming a teacher educator from a young researcher – by Khin Khin Thant Sin,

–          Revisiting and Rethinking Academic Research with ‘Asia as Method’: Motivation and Insights – by Wu Yutong, Pu Yu “

–          Gender-inclusive post pandemic education reform in Bangladesh: a critical examination of “Asia as a Method” – by M M Abdullah Al Mamun Sony “

–          What is “”Chinese characteristics””: Exploring China as Method in Higher Education Quality Evaluation – by Yang Yang “.

Each presentation included a 20-minute PowerPoint followed by a 10-minute feedback session, fostering an environment of constructive critique and scholarly exchange.

After a lunch break, the afternoon sessions continued with equally engaging presentations:

–          “Hungarian Authors’ Patterns of Referencing:Deconstructing Scholarly Work Using Asia as Method – by Joseph Marmol Yap, Aulia Puspaning Galih”

–          “Character Strengths and Flourishing of Student Teachers in an Asia Education Degree College: Insights and Perspectives – by Thet Thet Mar”

–          “Asian thinking in analyzing the impact of University-Industry Collaboration on vocational teachers’ professional development in Higher Education in China -by Min Huang “

–          “Juggling Multiple Identities: A PhD Student Researching the PhD – by Anisa Trisha Pabingwit”

The day concluded with a dinner, providing further opportunities for networking and discussion.

Online Workshop with Monash University, Australia

The second workshop, held online on June 4, included all 19 Asian PhD authors—8 asian students from Hungary and 11 from Monash University. The day began with an opening by János Setényi and Gábor Halász, followed by brief introductions from all professors. This workshop aimed to evaluate how all authors were incorporating the “Asia as Method” framework and the self-reflection element into their chapters. Additionally, it provided a platform for further support and guidance to improve their papers. The diversity and meticulous planning of the 19 chapter plans presented during this session reflected the authors’ deep engagement with the project’s thematic focus. Each topic explored in the book was distinct, covering a wide range of subjects within the broader context of “Asia as Method” in education. This approach enriched the book, making it both diverse and inclusive by incorporating various perspectives and insights from different educational areas.

The 1. session moderated by Byambasuren Nyamkhuu. In this part the 8 asian students make presentations:

–          Juggling Multiple Identities: A PhD Student Researching the PhD  -by Anisa Trisha Pabingwit”

–          What is “”Chinese characteristics””: Exploring China as Method in Higher Education Quality Evaluation – by Yang Yang

–          Gender-inclusive post pandemic education reform in Bangladesh: a critical examination of “Asia as a Method – by M M Abdullah Al Mamun Sony

–          Finding oneself while transition: a journey of becoming a teacher educator from a young researcher  – by Khin Khin Thant Sin

–          Hungarian Authors’ Patterns of Referencing:Deconstructing Scholarly Work Using Asia as Method – by Joseph Marmol Yap, Aulia Puspaning Galih

–          Revisiting and Rethinking Academic Research with ‘Asia as Method’: Motivation and Insights – by Wu Yutong, Pu Yu

–          Character Strengths and Flourishing of Student Teachers in an Asia Education Degree College: Insights and Perspectives – Thet Thet Mar

–          Asian thinking in analyzing the impact of University-Industry Collaboration on vocational teachers’ professional development in Higher Education in China – by Min Huang “

The 2. session modareted by Yaqing Hou, In this part the 11 people from Monash University make there presentations:

–          The cross-cultural integration of Yi middle school students in the multilingual education setting of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture  -Liuyan Zhou, Gary Bonar”

–          Student wellbeing and academic achievement: Lessons from Chinese double reduction policy – by Grace Ji, Philip Wing Keung Chan

–          Understanding Chinese International Graduates’ Cultural Capital in the Australian Labour Market through the Lens of “Asia as Method” – Melody Tang, Weiqi Jiang

–          Translational Dialogues: The Role of language teaching in Bridging East and West – Shaoru Annie Zeng

–          Blending Chinese Culture into English Language Education: A Study of English Textbooks in Chinese Higher Education – by Kaiyu Ma

Exploring Principal Instructional Leadership Practices in Indonesia: Embracing ‘Asia as Method’ – by Baiquni Rahmat, Venesser Fernandes, Michael Hendersontion

–          Unlocking the Secrets of Employability: A Thrilling Journey Through Multiple Perspectives – From Asian to Western Societies and Cultures  – by Tran Kim Sang”

–          A Culturally Adapted Approach: Exploring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for Enhanced Adolescents Mental Health (AMH) in Chinese Secondary School  – by Xiaoyan Wang, Hongzhi Zhang, Zane M. Diamond”

–          Localisation in Education: Integrating Western Theory within the Asian Academic Landscape – by Hanying Mao, Yanxi Li, Sun Yee Yip

–          Recentring employability research to privilege local wisdom: an autoethnographic exploration of the profound impact of Indonesian local wisdom on theories of employability – by Anak Agung Ayu Redi Pudyanti, Lynette Pretorius, Peter Waterhouse

–          Rendering Intercultural Understandings through art: Employing the concept of a/r/tographic balance to explore Australia’s Engagement with Asia – by Yaqing Hou, Geraldine Burke

The feedback sessions were particularly valuable, providing detailed guidance to help authors refine their chapters. The morning session ended with a 30-minute feedback discussion on eight authors, while the afternoon session, moderated by Yaqing Hou, featured presentations on topics such as the integration of Yi middle school students in multilingual education and the role of language teaching in bridging East and West.

Brainstorming 

On the evening of June 4th, the Learning from Asia project team convened a meeting with Asian PhD students currently studying in Hungary. This gathering provided a valuable opportunity for the PhD candidates to share their reflections on the recent workshops. Additionally, the meeting served as a platform for brainstorming and discussing the future development of the Asian PhD HUB, an integral component of the Learning from Asia project. The exchange of ideas and insights during this meeting is expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing success and enhancement of the project.

Leisure and Networking

The final day, June 5, offered a more relaxed schedule, beginning with breakfast and a sailing trip on Lake Balaton. This leisure activity provided a unique setting for informal discussions and networking, further strengthening the collaborative spirit of the project. The day concluded with a lunch and the participants’ departure.

Project Significance and Future Directions

The workshops set a positive tone for ongoing collaboration between the LfA project and Monash University. The constructive feedback and detailed guidance provided during these sessions were crucial in shaping the authors’ contributions. The workshops reflected a deep engagement with the project’s thematic focus, highlighting the innovative approaches in educational research through the lens of the “Asia as Method” framework.

The next steps involve continued refinement of the chapters, with the ultimate goal of producing a high-quality, impactful book. This book will showcase the unique perspectives of Asian doctoral students in Australia and Hungary, offering valuable insights into educational research and methodology. The ongoing cooperation promises to further enhance the quality and impact of this significant academic endeavor.