By Cara Lew

Fourth-year Asia-Pacific Studies student Betty Xie has been awarded the Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award. Congratulations, Betty!

Over the past 20 years, the Cressy Awards have recognized outstanding leaders who have made meaningful contributions to their college, faculty or school, or to the university as a whole. These students demonstrate dedication and leadership, and are committed to “making a difference.”

Betty has without a doubt exemplified these qualities during her time at the University of Toronto. She is completing a double major in Asia-Pacific Studies and Cinema Studies, and has combined her two passions through various filmmaking projects that have been featured at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and the U of T Korean Film Festival. Betty also co-founded and led the INDePth Conference in 2012 and 2013, a student-oriented academic conference on international development, and served as President of the Pan-Asia Student Society (now Contemporary Asian Studies Student Union). During the Taiwan 2012 presidential elections, she and four other undergraduate students represented U of T in Taiwan to observe the election and interview leading scholars in Taiwanese politics, social activists, and political party representatives. Betty’s first documentary film, Untag Taiwan 2012, came out of that visit and was later screened at U of T. The following year, she and some fellow classmates prepared a proposal to conduct research on cross-strait economic and cultural exchange in Taiwan and Xiamen, China. Their proposal was selected for funding through the Faculty of Arts and Science’s International Course Module (ICM) program, giving 15 students in CAS400Y and JPA411H the opportunity to travel to the region during Reading Week 2013. These are only a few highlights of Betty’s many contributions to our university.

I had a chance to sit down with Betty and ask her a few questions. Here is what she had to say about her time at U of T:

Cara Lew: If you could sum up your undergraduate experience in a few words, what would they be?

Betty Xie: I think I only need one word: entrepreneurship. That word is important in sustaining whatever I do, be it academic or extracurricular. It’s so important to take initiative – have the courage to do something different, and try to find the resources needed to finish a project you’re passionate about. For example, the ICM, INDePth, or my film projects... My most memorable experiences have all involved having an entrepreneurial spirit.

CL: Of all your accomplishments, which one are you most proud of?

BX: I would have to say it is the current project I’m working on, The Home Promised production. It’s a documentary about an urban neighbourhood on the brink of demolition in Taipei. This is my team’s first time working on a professional filmmaking project, and we have all learned so much over the past half a year. For myself, it is a really summative project of all that I’ve been dedicated to throughout my undergrad career.  I’m very grateful to have this opportunity, and the support of my department, the Asian Institute, and local film festivals.

CL: What are your plans after graduation?

BX: In May, I’m going to Taiwan for the entire month to do the shooting of The Home Promised.  In the summer I will be fully dedicated to the post-production for the film.  After that I’m not quite sure yet, I could possibly be seeking employment at local film festivals, or finish my own projects on the side. That’s the ideal situation.

CL: If you could give one piece of advice to incoming U of T students, what would it be?

BX: I think for U of T students, the most important piece of advice is to really find your community. U of T is known for being big and somewhat daunting, but at the same time, it has so much to offer. U of T can be a really lonely place if you’re only focusing on the academic side. You need the community side, student life, to give you more layers. Try out extra-curricular activities, or even create your own club! Spend some time to find that niche for yourself. I am grateful that I found my niche very early on at the Asian Institute and in the Asia-Pacific Studies Program. Majoring in the program and leading the various student initiatives  supported by the Institute have not only aided my personal growth but also provided me a remarkable sense of communal inclusiveness. 

Betty has definitely made her mark at U of T with her entrepreneurial spirit and the strong sense of community she has helped to create within the Asia-Pacific Studies program (now Contemporary Asian Studies). We wish her all the best in her future endeavours, and once again congratulate her on winning this award.

Cara Lew is a third-year student in the Contemporary Asian Studies program.