Jackie Pang, Sarah Padwal, and Rayn Lakhani Honored with the 2024-2025 CSGJ Student Excellence Award
The Centre for the Study of Global Japan (CSGJ) is thrilled to announce Jackie Pang, Sarah Padwal, Rayn Lakhani as the recipients of the 2024-2025 Student Excellence Award. Winners were chosen based on their active engagement with Centre activities, including attendance at events, community-building, and involvement in volunteer activities. Student affiliates are integral members of the CSGJ community, and the award recognizes particularly proactive students for their contributions during the academic year.
Jackie Pang, who recently graduated majoring in Political Science and East Asia studies, joined as a student affiliate in the 2023-2024 year. When asked about his motivation for joining the Centre for the Study of Global Japan, Jackie stated, “Japan has occupied a special place in my heart since childhood. Academically, I have a strong interest in Japanese politics and international affairs. Joining the CSGJ will open new opportunities for me to further my understanding of Japan.”
Sarah Padwal, who is a rising third-year majoring in International Relations, Peace Conflict & Justice with a minor in Contemporary Asian Studies, joined as an affiliate during the 2024-2025 academic year. Explaining her decision to become a Centre affiliate, Sarah remarked, "Since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated by Japanese culture. After taking a Japanese language course in high school and working for a cultural exchange company, I became even more interested in Japan. As a student affiliate, I hope to expand my knowledge about Japan through events and conversations with academic scholars, and I look forward to meeting other students who share my interests!”
Last but not least, Rayn Lakhani, who is a rising second-year, participated in the Munk One program and is planning on minoring in Contemporary Asian Studies, joined as an affiliate in the 2024-2025 academic year. Explaining their decision to become an affiliate, Rayn explained, “Japan's influence on the global stage stems from its unique blend of cultural traditions, economic power, and technological advancements. I want to explore how Japan's historical trajectory, from its rapid modernization and how this has shaped its contemporary global standing. Examining Japan offers a rich case study for understanding how a nation can balance deep-rooted traditions with globalized modernization, and I believe studying this balance can provide insights into sustainable development, international relations, and cultural exchange in a globalized world.”
Congratulations to Jackie, Sarah, and Rayn for the well-deserved award! We look forward to seeing our student affiliate community continue to grow and foster life-long engagement with Japan.
