USCB to Hold 3rd Annual Asian Cultural Studies Conference on Oct. 30 on Hilton Head Island
The University of South Carolina Beaufort will welcome scholars, cultural leaders, international guests and members of the public to its third annual Asian Cultural Studies Conference on Friday, Oct. 30, at the university’s Hilton Head Island Campus.
The conference, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will explore the cultures of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, foster international connections, and provide networking opportunities to strengthen relationships between our region and Asia. The event is free and open to the public.
“USCB’s Asian Cultural Studies Conference provides an opportunity for our campus and community to engage directly with leaders and experts whose work connects South Carolina with Asia,” said USCB Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Kimberly Dudas. “We look forward to welcoming our guests and sharing a day of learning, conversation and cultural exchange.”
The conference is presented by USCB's Chancellor's Office and Academic Affairs, in collaboration with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and The Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance (SCA). It is funded in part by a Sea Islands Institute grant.
The morning program will feature keynote presentations from four distinguished guests:
• Jared (Chu-en) Lin, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta, representing Taiwan
• Kenneth W. Choi, Deputy Managing Editor of Chosun Ilbo in South Korea
• Hyungwon Kang, a two-time Pulitzer Award-winning photojournalist from South Korea
• Yuya Hirano, a member of the Gifu Prefectural Assembly in Japan
The morning will also include presentations by USCB Provost Kimberly Dudas and William Fugate, Director of Japan Strategy & Aerospace Development for the Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance, followed by a question-and-answer session with the keynote speakers.
Following the morning presentations, attendees can enjoy a light lunch and participate in several cultural activities. Highlights include a book signing by Hyungwon Kang, a hands-on noodle cooking class led by Carol Weir, and a sake, soju, and kaoliang (tea) tasting session led by Dr. Sean Barth. The cooking class and sake tasting will be limited to 20 participants.
The afternoon will feature a series of short presentations by USCB faculty from multiple disciplines who were awarded mini-grants for Asian-themed lessons for their undergraduate students, along with presentations and guests from The Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance (SCA) and others. The conference will conclude with the presentation of Honorary Ambassadors of East Asian Culture certificates to all attendees, conference giveaways and gift-basket drawings.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with coffee, bagels, and pastries available before the 9 a.m. opening.
Lunch is free for the first 150 people to register. For more information and to RSVP, visit USCB.edu/SKALE or contact Dr. Juanita Babet Villena-Alvarez at HIGHLIGHTS@uscb.edu.
- USCB -
CW 09/30/2026