Bulletin Winter 1976

influential overseas Chinese groups. Finally I wish to point out that in the last fifty years or so, Chinese and Southeast Asian studies have developed so rapidly in Japan that the research efforts and contributions there are just as important as those of Britain, U.S.A. and France, therefore knowledge of Japanese, like English, would surely be an advantage. Q. There are at this University quite a number of . East Asian experts. Is the Centre enlisting their help in its research activities? A. Ever since its establishment in 1971, the CEAS has invited teachers of the University who are engaged in East Asian studies to join the Centre as part-time Advisers and Research Fellows/Assistants. They conduct various research projects under the Centre, and when research grants are needed, they may be obtained from the Harvard-Yenching Institute, the Japan Foundation and other foundations through the University. Unfortunately, research activities of the Centre have been affected by the world-wide recession in the last few years. Q. Is the Centre also in close cooperation with foreign scholars in the field? A. The Centre aspires to become a meeting ground for scholars of Asian studies. In recent years, not only have we had visits of established scholars, but we have also received young scholars who have come to the Centre soliciting help and guidance from the Centre's staff in their postgraduate research. With the help of the Japan Foundation, the Keio University has sent teachers to this University as Visiting Professors and Lecturers in Japanology, who also become members of the CEAS, helping us to develop our Japanese studies. Thanks to the academic exchange programme between Soka University and this University, we have been receiving Visiting Professors from the Soka University since 1976 ， and to Soka, we have also sent our teachers. Q. How will the CEAS help in the International Asian Studies Programme to be launched at this University in the coming academic year? A. In mid-December 1975 ， I went to Japan to visit the Cultural Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Social and International Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Education; Japanese Studies Department, the Japan Foundation; Toyota Motor Sales Co.; Nichiren Shoshu International Centre, Soka Gakkai; and Financial Affairs Committee of Liberal-Democratic Party, and sounded them out on the possibility of giving financial support to the IASP. As a result, the Soka University has kindly promised to make a grant of US$10,000 per year to the IASP beginning from 1977-78 for the initial three years. Every year, ten scholarships will be offered to four students from Japan and six from Southeast Asian countries to participate in the IASP. We are still negotiating with other organizations for grants. Q. What contribution has the CEAS made in the field of East Asian Studies and what services has it rendered to its confreres in various parts of the world? A. With the short history of the CEAS, it is too early to speak of contributions to the academic Publications of Dr. Chen A page from Tu-duc Thanh-che Tu-hoc Giai-nghia-ca