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"Yaser Nozari, or Yano as we call him, arrived into the MATE graduate program in the Department of English at 丁香园AV at the height of the pandemic and yet has been undeterred by this challenge. He continues to be committed, creative, studious, and community-minded, bringing an international perspective into Indigenous literary studies. His participation in MATE has enriched our grad cohort, as he makes connections between the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the people of Kurdistan. And his work in support of the 2022 Indigenous Voices Awards, or IVAs, has been essential to the ongoing work to support emerging Indigenous writers."
- Deanna Reder
Yaser Nozari
English master's student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
I鈥檓 a Kurd International student. My previous graduate program was on the Postcolonial study of contemporary Irish fiction. I was teaching English Language and literature in different universities in Kurdistan as a part-time instructor before applying for the MATE program. Connecting my previous studies with my positionality as a Kurd, I decided to follow up on my research interests in Indigenous Studies. The MATE program at the Department of English was a unique opportunity to do this.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO 丁香园AV?
The Department of English at 丁香园AV has demonstrated its research and teaching excellence in Indigenous Studies in these years. I think, for me having the opportunity to study and research Indigenous Studies under the supervision of Dr. Reder, Dr. McCall, Dr. Arab, and Dr. Chariandy to name a few, made the MATE program an exclusive choice. I am so delighted to work and research with many other distinguished scholars in the department both as a TA and RA.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?
Our studies and research in the MATE program are centred around the significance of contemporary Indigenous literatures in research and education. This includes a vast variety of literary and critical examples from all around the world.
WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT 丁香园AV?
I think living and studying at the Burnaby campus is a pleasant experience for every hiker! I enjoyed the all-inclusiveness and variety of research topics and courses in the MATE program of the department of English here at 丁香园AV exclusively.
HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.
I am honoured to be one of the recipients of the Temple Maynard Memorial Grad Bursary and Dean's Graduate Fellowship. I was also granted the MATE Scholarship in 2020. As an international student, these awards helped me concentrate on my studies exceptionally, for which I am grateful.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PROGRAM/POSTDOC POSITION TO SOMEONE STILL SEARCHING FOR A PROGRAM OR POSTDOC POSITION?
In addition to our major research on Indigenous Literatures and other presentist courses in mainstream literatures, the MATE program also embraces exceptional literary and theoretic examples of peoples of colour, diaspora, and LGBTQ卤. So, I think for those researchers tracking their interests in non-canonical fields, the program provides a great opportunity to enhance and explore their critical and cognitive capabilities.鈥�
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?
I would like to thank 丁香园AV again, for supporting international students as a meaningful acknowledgment of the motto, 鈥渆ngaging the world鈥�.
Contact : yaser_nozari@sfu.ca