Swagata Cha!
I am excited and honored to welcome you all to this year’s AAS-in-Asia’s Conference in Kathmandu. The conference has been organized by Social Science Baha in collaboration with the Association of Asian Studies, around the year’s theme, ‘Reframing Global Asias: Margins, Modernities, and Mobilities’. We have several hundred panels, roundtables, films and special events planned around this and related themes. You will be joining more than 1050 scholars from more than 700 academic institutions at the conference this year, and have many opportunities for networking and sharing research. We also hope you will find time, as well, to enjoy this historic place!

The Kathmandu and AAS program and planning committee members have been working hard on the many kinds of arrangements for this conference—from scheduling, to selecting the keynote, to deciding on lunch menus for over a thousand hungry people, and planning receptions to relax and connect. I speak on behalf of the entire AAS Board in expressing how grateful we are for all their efforts!

See you in Kathmandu!
Nancy Lee Peluso
President, Association of Asian Studies, 2025

Distinguished guests, esteemed scholars, academics, educators and scholars of Asian Studies,

On behalf of the Association for Asian Studies and Social Science Baha, I am deeply honored to welcome you all to the city of Kathmandu for this year’s AAS-in-Asia 2025 Conference, which has been themed ‘Reframing Global Asias: Margins, Modernities and Mobilities’. As we meet in the country that is steeped in rich cultural heritage and vibrant contemporary transformations, we are reminded of Asia’s crucial role in shaping global narratives. From ancient trade routes to digital frontiers, from cultural traditions to cutting-edge innovations, Asia continues to redefine its place in our inter-connected world.

Our first-time attendees are joining this community over 1,000 scholars from nearly 50 countries, united by a shared commitment to advancing knowledge about Asia. Whether your work focuses on literature, politics, environment, technology, or the arts, you are here because your voice matters.

Our appreciation goes to founding members of AAS-in-Asia for their everlasting dedication to expanding the horizon of Asian Studies, ensuring it remains a vital force in academic and public discourse.
We will be engaging in around 270 panels, workshops, and roundtables that bridge disciplines, generations and geographies. We will further explore pressing issues such as climate resilience in Southeast Asia to AI ethics in East Asia, from decolonizing archives to reimagining pedagogy. Above all, this conference is more than an academic exchange; it is indeed a celebration of collaboration. Let’s hammer out new partnerships and amplify marginalized voices.

Finally, let us remember that Asian Studies is not only an academic pursuit but also a bridge to share, a tool for justice and a testament to our shared stories. Together, we are not just observers of history but active participants in its unfolding.
Thank you for your kind attention. Enjoy the journey ahead!

Nirmal Man Tuladhar,
Chair, Social Science Baha