Honouring Asian Heritage Month
Each May, the University of Alberta celebrates Asian Heritage Month and the work of faculty, researchers, instructors and students who are demonstrating leadership in creating a world that is more equitable and inclusive — that uplifts the whole community, in all of its diversity.
Officially recognized following the efforts of Senator Vivienne Poy, the month serves as a time to collectively recognize the contributions and diverse stories of all those Canadians who can trace their roots back to East Asia, Southern Asia, Western, Central and Southeast Asia. It’s a time to listen, engage and learn.
We invite you to join in the celebration and explore the diversity of Asian experiences by checking out the university's collections, stories, histories and resources.
See the president's message honouring Asian Heritage Month »
Honorer le mois du patrimoine asiatique
Chaque mois de mai, L’Université de l’Alberta célèbre le Mois du patrimoine asiatique et le travail du corps professoral, des équipes de recherche et d’instruction ainsi que des membres de la communauté étudiante qui démontrent un leadership dans la création d'un monde plus équitable et inclusif — ce qui élève la communauté entière, dans toute sa diversité.
Officiellement établi à la suite des efforts de la sénatrice Vivienne Poy, ce mois sert à reconnaître collectivement les contributions et les histoires diverses de tous ces Canadiens et de toutes ces Canadiennes qui peuvent retracer leurs racines en Asie de l'Est, en Asie du Sud, en Asie occidentale, centrale et du Sud-Est. Il s’agit d’un moment d’écoute, d'engagement et d’apprentissage.
Nous vous invitons à vous joindre à la célébration et à explorer la diversité des expériences asiatiques en consultant les collections, les récits, les histoires et les ressources de l'université.
President's Message
Asian Heritage Month recognizes the ongoing contributions of Asian communities that help shape and enrich our university and our country. It is a time to celebrate and reflect on the diversity of Asian cultures, histories and perspectives that continue to strengthen our institution. At the University of Alberta, this plurality is integral to our campuses, informing our teaching, contributing to our research, and strengthening our community engagement. Read more »
Heritage in Focus
Storytelling a unique approach to research racism and mental health in children
Understanding cultural differences, language barriers, family dynamics all key when developing resources for the East Asian community.
Art in Focus: "Rising Waters" by Heraa Khan
In her 2021 work Rising Waters, the artist illuminates the perils of climate change, particularly in her home country of Pakistan.
Asian Heritage Month — Children's Literature
Discover a curated selection of children’s books that highlight diverse Asian experiences and stories — perfect for reading this month and all year round.
Student Activities
Student-run activities include KGK (East Asian Studies Undergraduate Students' Association, standing for Kanpai, Ganbei, Konbae or "cheers" in Japanese, Chinese and Korean) and language conversation clubs.
Principles of Resistance: The Gordon Hirabayashi Story
March 13 - June 28, 2025 | University of Alberta Museums Gallery A
The documentary is a campus-community collaboration built on the legacy of Dr. Hirabayashi's work towards human rights and civil society in Canada.
The Dr. Gordon Hirabayashi Graduate Scholarship in Sociology was established by the U of A in recognition of his life, work, and global influence on anti-racism efforts.
Asian Heritage at U of A's Botanical Garden
Visit the U of A’s Botanical Garden and you will see a beautiful manifestation and celebration of those ties in the Aga Khan Garden’s traditional Islamic Garden design, as well as the Kurimoto Japanese Garden, named after Dr. Yuichi Kurimoto, who in 1930 became the U of A’s first graduate of Japanese descent.
Featured Stories
Explore the Mactaggart Collection
Discover online and virtual exhibits celebrating Asian art and culture.
The Mactaggart Art Collection, composed of more than 1,000 rare works of art from ancient and modern East Asia, furthers our knowledge of East Asian cultures, and informs the research of students and scholars world-wide.
Dragons on the Tibetan Plateau
With never-before-seen textiles from the collection, "Dragons on the Tibetan Plateau" focuses on the variations of dragon pattern designs and the textile production techniques revealed through selected objects from Tibet between the 16th and 18th centuries.
Peonies in Bloom
In this exhibition you will find textiles and paintings decorated with peony blossoms—from the Qing Imperial Court to the commercial textile industry.
Lion, Lantern, Lotus
This online exhibition explores the combination of Buddhism and Chinese symbols on a Buddhist textile from China. This U of A Museums exhibition highlights the rich Chinese-Buddhist visual culture and textiles found in the 17th century.
The Kenneth and Sandra Wong Gallery
The U of A is home to the largest academic museum network in Canada, yet our vast array of treasures remain largely unseen by the public. Thirty exquisite collections spanning art, paleontology, rare books, textiles, meteorites and more are carefully preserved, awaiting their chance to shine.
The opening of the new Kenneth and Sandra Wong Gallery at the Telus Centre in early 2027 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring these treasures into the spotlight, making them more accessible than ever before. The 5,000-square-foot gallery will be located at the heart of North Campus and will provide a world-class space to publicly exhibit significant artifacts, creating an innovative hub for education, research, and cultural engagement.
Learn more about the project »
East Asian Studies Department
The Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Alberta offers degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level in Chinese, Korean and Japanese language, linguistics, and literature. As one of the leading university departments in Canada devoted solely to the study of East Asia, we provide our students with a valuable opportunity to build a solid foundation for a career involving this exciting and economically vigorous part of the world.