ASIA CENTRE'S 2026 INTERNS
Chaynj Jason
Chaynj Jason is a Programme Intern at Asia Centre Research Hub from May 2026 to July 2026 through the Asia Internship Program. She recently completed her third year studying Humanities, Computing, and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology.
She is an aspiring Project Manager with a strong foundation in business development, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional coordination. Her experience includes managing projects from planning through execution, overseeing budgets, coordinating vendors, and cultivating community partnerships. She is skilled at translating organizational goals into actionable strategies, monitoring progress, and delivering results in fast-paced, mission-driven environments.
Through this internship, she aims to gain hands-on experience in developing training materials, supporting programme preparation, and assisting with research for book manuscripts, commentaries, and journal articles. Her responsibilities also include coordinating conferences, meetings, and seminars.
Andrea Zambon
Andrea Zambon is a Programme Intern at Asia Centre from April 2026 to September 2026. He is currently in the final year of his Master’s Degree in Global and Local Studies at the University of Trento, Italy.
He is passionate about foreign languages and has a keen interest in intersectional transfeminism, development justice and social movements. At Asia Centre, Andrea is involved in programme operations, research, project documentation and event coordination. Through this internship, he aims to deepen his understanding of how civil society operates in Southeast Asia, refine his research skills, and gain first-hand experience in event management.
Ahmad Faris Maulana
Ahmad Faris Maulana is a Research Intern at Asia Centre from April 2026 to July 2026. He is currently in his final year of the Bachelor of International Affairs Management at Universiti Utara Malaysia.
His academic background focuses on international affairs and international relations, covering topics such as politics, economy, and social issues across the world, with a focus/minor in International Economics and Business. He has a strong interest in research and writing on current global issues, particularly on social, economic, and political developments and how they shape international relations and global decision-making.
At Asia Centre, he supports writing for Asia Centre’s publications and research materials, contributing to reports and analytical writing on regional and international issues. He is also involved in conducting research by engaging and contacting experts to gain sources, perspectives, and insights that strengthen research outputs, particularly on Asia and Indonesia.
Through this internship, he aims to gain deeper knowledge of the research field, strengthen his communication and analytical writing skills, and develop strategic thinking in conducting international research within professional and multicultural environments. This experience also supports his future career interests in international affairs, research, journalism and writing, and policy-related fields.
Nell Fabre
Nell Fabre is a Research Intern at the Asia Centre AI Hub from March to August 2026. She is currently in the final year of her Master’s degree in International Relations at Sciences Po Bordeaux.
She has a strong interest in international relations, peacebuilding, and human rights. During her master’s studies, she wrote several research papers on Sino-Japanese relations, with a particular focus on their implications for human rights violations. Through this internship, Nell hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the relationships between Southeast Asia and East Asia while contributing to evidence-based research. This internship also offers important professional experience that will help her further develop her research skills in a practical, collaborative environment.
Nery Villalba
Nery Villalba is a Partnerships and Programme Intern at Asia Centre in Bangkok from March to May 2026. She is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology at Universidad Anáhuac Puebla, where she has been actively involved in student leadership initiatives focused on social responsibility, community engagement, and youth leadership. Committed to service and cross-cultural collaboration, she has participated in volunteer and leadership programmes aimed at strengthening social impact and civic engagement among young people, reflecting her growing interest in contributing to the work of nonprofit and civil society organisations.
At Asia Centre, she contributes to the development of strategic partnerships with civil society organisations, research institutions, and regional stakeholders, as well as event and project management. Through this experience, she aims to deepen her understanding of how civil society actors in Asia foster dialogue, build collaborative networks, and promote human rights and democratic resilience. She is particularly interested in learning from these approaches to better understand how similar initiatives could be adapted and implemented in Latin America and Mexico, while further developing her skills in stakeholder engagement and international cooperation.
Nur Syahira
Nur Syahira is a Media Intern at Asia Centre from March 2026 to June 2026. She is currently in her final year of the Bachelor of Applied Language (Hons.) in English for Professional Communication at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam.
Her academic background focuses on professional communication, strategic messaging, and media engagement. She has a strong interest in public relations, digital communication, and advocacy, particularly in how communication can support public awareness and engagement in regional and societal issues. At Asia Centre, she supports communication and outreach efforts, assisting with content development, stakeholder engagement, and digital media activities. Through this internship, she aims to gain practical experience in public relations and strategic communication while strengthening her ability to communicate effectively in professional and multicultural environments.
Sofea Erysha
Sofea Erysha is a research intern at Asia Centre Media Hub from March 2026 to August 2026. She is currently in her final year of her Bachelor in English Language and Linguistics at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang.
She is devoted to advancing research in the humanities and exploring the evolving digital language that shapes online discourse. Drawing on her academic experience in developing manuals, articles, and book reviews, she strives to refine a wide range of writing techniques for both professional and creative purposes. Sofea pursues knowledge with the aim of sharing it with the wider community. During her internship at Asia Centre, she hopes to build meaningful professional networks while engaging in both desk-based and field research.
Kimberley Cassandra
Kimberley Cassandra is a Graphic Design intern from February 2026 to August 2026. She is currently in the final year of completing her Bachelor in Graphic Design degree at Management and Science University (MSU), Shah Alam.
She has a strong interest in visual communication, digital media, and a passion for creating engaging and meaningful visual content. Kimberley enjoys combining her creative and technical skills to tackle new challenges while learning from different perspectives. She is particularly interested in how digital media can be used to connect with audiences, communicate ideas effectively, and create meaningful engagement. At Asia Centre, Kimberley is involved in media and outreach initiatives, assisting with content creation, visual storytelling, and strengthening the Centre’s digital engagement. Kimberley views opportunities in the creative and media field as important steps toward strengthening her design thinking, communication abilities, and professional experience, while building a strong foundation for her future career in graphic design and digital media.