Our goal is to promote an enhanced understanding of the nations of East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

Overview

The center has been designated since 1988 as an undergraduate National Resource Center in East Asian Studies by the U.S. Department of Education (one of only 15 in the country). This identifies the Asian Studes Center at the University of Pittsburgh as being among the best and most comprehensive in the country in research, public service, and teaching about East Asia.

The center’s mandate is to promote an enhanced understanding of the nations of East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands through exceptional undergraduate and graduate academic programs, strong interdisciplinary faculty development, and energetic community outreach.

ASC has nationally recognized programs in Chinese and Japanese language and culture studies, with growing strengths in India studies. Its affiliated faculty spans the disciplines. The center is also home to one of the few Confucius Institute centers sponsored by the Chinese government's Ministry of Chinese as a Foreign Language International, promoting Chinese language and culture study in the United States.

Outreach

Outreach is an integral part of ASC’s mission to serve the community and bring the University community and community at large together. Outreach includes PreK-16 programs for teachers and students, business partnerships, and the National Consortium for Teaching About Asia.

Courses

Typically more than 3,500 graduate and undergraduate students enroll each year in Asia-related courses. Graduate and undergraduate students interested in Asia can supplement and strengthen their major field of study by enrolling in the Asian Studies certificate program.

East Asian Library

The East Asian Library ranks 13th in size among the 80 East Asian libraries in the United States and Canada. It contains significant collections of books and periodicals in both Chinese and Japanese languages as well as in Western languages.

Financial Aid

Current as well as prospective students in Asian Studies are eligible to apply for a variety of scholarships and fellowships administered by the Asian Studies Center. Application forms can be downloaded from the Web site for this annual competition. Generous grants and gifts from organizations in the United States and Asia provide significant support for students and faculty in Asian Studies. These generate scholarship funds, faculty expansion, and an annual series of performing arts events, seminars, lectures, and concerts.

University Center for International Studies

The Asian Studies Center is an integral part of the University Center for International Studies (UCIS). UCIS is the central coordinating and support mechanism for the many international activities of the University of Pittsburgh.