AsiaConnect highlights Asian heritage across campus

NORMAL – AsiaConnect is a university association of faculty and staff members with a focus on promoting Asian cultures and supporting Asian staff, faculty and students here at Illinois State.

This week, AsiaConnect has been hosting events everyday to promote, share, and inform Illinois State students of Asian heritage and culture. Some events included the Japanese art of paper folding called ‘Origami’, a Filipino martial arts demonstration, the history of Iranian street performing and a Korean Cuisine demonstration held by Chef Yongae Lee of Bloomington’s Seoul Mama restaurant.

The organization was originally founded two years ago after interest from staff and faculty on campus. AsiaConnect hosts forums that discuss topics concerning Asian pop culture, politics, economics, and sports.

The event organizer and incoming AsiaConnect President Arshana Skehara says that the week has been a success.

“The faculty has done a good job promoting this, an we have seen lots of students coming in from various parts of campus,” Shekara said. “I feel we have done a pretty decent job of reaching out and asking people to share events with their classmates.”

AsiaConnect plans to continue spreading Asian culture and diversity on campus after this week’s events.

Marcel Francis contributed to this story.