The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ (CSEAS) celebrated a milestone this spring by recognizing the first recipients of its Southeast Asian Studies Medallion, an honor awarded to graduate students whose thesis or dissertation research advances understanding of Southeast Asia.
Presented for the first time during the 2026 UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Commencement Ceremony, the medallion recognizes outstanding scholarship and encourages continued research on one of the world¡¯s most dynamic and diverse regions. This year, 14 graduating master¡¯s and doctoral students representing 11 disciplines across UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ earned the distinction for their contributions to Southeast Asian studies.
“These students have dedicated years of study and research to deepening knowledge of Southeast Asia,” said Miriam Stark, CSEAS director. “The medallion is our way of honoring their achievements and recognizing the important contributions they have made to the field and to UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹.”
Medallion awardees
Charles Ham, Small Island Planning for Equity and Resilience: Lessons from Creating the North Maluku Province and Sofifi Capital City in Indonesia, Urban and regional planning, PhD
Ahkmed Ahksan Harris, Sawah Gilirang Tenure In South Sulawesi, fIndonesia: Livelihood, Kinship, and Belonging, Anthropology, MA
Reza Maulana Hikam, The Jihad Archipelago: Towards a More Inclusive Reimagining of Religious Pluralism and Islamic ¡°Terrorism¡± in Island Southeast Asia, History, MA
Kaelyn Howard, The Prevalence of the Kundiman: Expressions of Filipino Identity in Western Classical Music, Ethnomusicology, MA
Saung Yanant Pyae Kyaw, Digital Scam Syndicates in Southeast Asia, Especially in Myanmar, Asian international affairs, MA
Pindarica Malyrojsiri, From Liberation to Governance: Inclusive Political Participation in Post-Independence Contexts: The Cases of Timor-Leste and South Sudan, Political science, MA
Olivia Meyer, Plastic Panacea: Circular Economies and the Political Ecology of Plastic Waste in Thailand, Geography, PhD
Ben Moseley, Conversion and Power at the “Ends of the Earth”: Islam, Christianity, and Localization in Southeast Asia¡¯s Eastern Archipelago, 1450–1650, History, PhD
Xiaoyun Neo, Revaluing Elephant Labor at Elephant Tourism Venues in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Geography, PhD
Tien Nguyen, Living Elsewhere: Expatriate lives and performances in Honolulu and Ho Chi Minh City, Theatre and dance, MA
Retno Kusuma Ningrum, Nesting Ecology of Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) on Buru Island, Maluku, Indonesia, Marine biology, MS
Angel Sanchez, Documentary film on the Philippines. Communications, BA
Edgardo Diaz Vega, The Growth of Thailand’s Boys Love Industry in Southeast Asia and the Role of the Thai Government, Asian international affairs, MA
Haruka Waseda, Evolving Views towards Japan through the Lens of Philippine Nikkeijin from Baguio City, Asian international affairs, MA
—By Duong Troung