Rollins Hosts 51st Annual AACS Conference

This weekend, Rollins' China Center will host the 51st Annual Conference for the American Association for Chinese Studies (AACS). Since it was founded in 1959, the AACS has been the only academic society in America for Chinese studies, a notable academic discipline at Rollins.

The annual AACS conference is designed to create an open forum and create new research developments, policy questions, and dissemination of knowledge on Chinese-related culture. The conference is also an opportunity for members to debate research related to Chinese studies. Orange TV will record the conference, which is scheduled to host more than 100 scholars from around the world.

The conference is organized by the Rollins China Center, lead by Professor of International Business Ilan Alon. The China Center has researched Chinese business and culture since 2003.

Lei Guo (Class of 2011) is an assistant in the China Center and spent her Fall Break preparing for the AACS Conference. The China Center created a balance by having two Chinese assistants as well as two American assistants.

"It was really a fun process," said Guo. "I can speak the native dialect of some of the Chinese scholars, so I have been assigned to be their contact and help them out, which has been great."

The goal of the conference is to create a balanced program of humanities, social sciences, and business-related topics. The AACS invited proposals concerning China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other Chinese societies. Presenters were encouraged to cover topics such as the U.S. presidential administration, the late 2008 global financial crisis, Chinese societies, economies, and politics. Throughout the conference, the AACS also plans to promote the understanding and communication between both Eastern and Western cultures.

-Mary Neville (Class of 2013)