The UBC Senate has approved the creation of a new multidisciplinary minor program in the Faculty of Arts that explores the history, culture, and contemporary development of Asian communities in Canada, and Asian migrations outside of Asia. This program was one of three measures announced by the UBC Senate in November 2011 to acknowledge and recognize the 76 Japanese Canadian UBC students who were unable to complete their studies because they were forced to leave the West Coast during the Second World War. This program will ensure that the removal of Japanese Canadians and the history of anti-Asian racism that caused it will never be forgotten.
The new minor program is distinct from the Asian Studies program because it focuses on people of Asian descent in Canada and the migration of Asian population outside of Asia. The program will bring together teaching faculty from multiple departments in the Faculty of Arts, and feature innovative interdisciplinary courses that will equip students to participate in community engagement initiatives involving Asian Canadian communities.
