Announcing the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society Award
A Nengajo, (or, New Year’s greeting card) painted by VNCS member Michael Abe for 2021. Credit: Michael Abe.
It is with privilege and gratitude that we announce the creation of the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society Award for undergraduate students.
Open to all undergraduate students at the University of Victoria, this endowed award will support innovative and creative research in Japanese Canadian history, art, culture and language.
“We are proud to have established this endowed award at the University of Victoria’s Faculty of Humanities,” says Tsugio Kurushima, President of the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society (VNCS). “By advancing student research in these subjects, the award provides an important way to honour our Japanese roots and the contributions of Japanese-Canadians to Canadian society.”
Since 1993, the VNCS has supported and fostered community among those of Japanese heritage or interested in Japanese culture. In addition to identifying and serving the needs of the Nikkei (or, Japanese emigrants and descendants residing in a country outside of Japan), the VNCS actively promotes awareness of Japanese culture through social outreach, public advocacy and community programming and events.
The first Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society Award will be dispensed in 2022 and awarded annually, in perpetuity.
“The University places great emphasis on engaging undergraduate students in research,” says Lisa Surridge, Humanities Associate Dean Academic. “We are thrilled that this award will open new research opportunities for students interested in studying Japanese culture, language, arts and history.”
VCNS Taiko drummers bring fresh energy to an age-old tradition. Credit: Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society
This award was facilitated by the University of Victoria’s Development Office. Questions about scholarship support and legacy giving can be directed to www.uvic.ca/givingtouvic/.