Trinity College alumnus Stanislav Knezevic has received 21 Yenching Scholarships from the Yenching Academy of Peking University in China as part of the 2022-23 cohort. Knezevic will be pursuing an interdisciplinary MA in Chinese Studies, with a focus on Politics and International Relations.
Knezevic and other full fellowship scholars take courses in the social sciences and humanities relating to China, working alongside their academic advisors. Outside of the classroom, they participate in fieldwork and extracurricular activities to enhance their knowledge and understanding of China and its past, present and future impact on the world.
“It’s a unique opportunity to gain a deep understanding of China’s politics, society, and its increasingly important role in global affairs,” said Kinzevic, who majored in political science and studied philosophy at Trinity College. “I am honored to be selected for this opportunity. Besides its importance in terms of understanding modern China and its relationship to the world, the Yenching Academy program also serves an indispensable role in promoting intercultural dialogue and interdisciplinary academic research as a tool for peace and understanding.”
While at Trinity, Kniesewicz had the opportunity to study abroad in Europe: one semester at Sciences Po in Paris and one semester at University College London. There, he was able to develop his knowledge of international relations and European politics. “What the Yenching Academy will allow me to do is complement my understanding of European and American politics with a deep understanding of China’s role in the world. Once I am able to link these systems together, I will be able to generate a more comprehensive and dynamic understanding of international relations.”
As an undergraduate, Knezevic served as Dean of the Student Office at Trinity and was also involved in Student Activities, the Office of Engagement and Leadership, as well as in the Model United Nations and the International Relations Club. During his sophomore year, Knezevic had the opportunity to be a research assistant to John R. Reitmeyer Professor of Political Science Anthony Messina, with a particular focus on American immigration policies.
Coming from Mladenovac (Belgrade), Serbia, she chose Knezevic Trinity because of its support system for international students, including financial aid, extracurricular professional development opportunities, and access to study abroad programs. Knezevic wanted to attend a liberal arts college to obtain a comprehensive education that would enhance his critical thinking skills and allow him to express himself in a powerful and inclusive way, particularly in relation to world affairs. “I appreciate the fact that Trinity emphasized education that combines theoretical learning with the practical application of knowledge through training,” Knezevic said. He participated in the Trinity Legislative Training Program, during which he trained for a semester for state Representative Josh Elliott in the Connecticut General Assembly. As someone who always knew he wanted to pursue political science as his major, Knezevic said Trinity gave him many opportunities to expand his abilities through coursework, curriculum, and participation at Hartford.
During his final year at Trinity, Knezevic was a participant in Projects for Peace, a fellowship that supports peacebuilding initiatives around the world. Selected with Ana Stambolic ’21 to receive a grant for their project that has promoted cooperation, peace and reconciliation through large youth organizations in parts of the world that have experienced conflict in the past. Our project, titled “Ex-Youth Leadership Conference: Connecting for Peace,” is designed to mobilize large student organizations (Serb Students Abroad, Montenegro Study Abroad, Croatian Students Abroad Association), Knezevic said. and distinguished young leaders from Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Slovenia, to form a joint cooperation platform in the areas of youth policy, entrepreneurship, sciences and humanities, and culture.”
Through the Serbian Students Abroad Organization, the Croatian Students Abroad Association, and the Montenegrin Organization Study Abroad, more than 10,000 members in the United States and internationally have signed a joint declaration on regional cooperation, “emphasizing the value of achieving peace and prosperity regional relationships through cooperation and respect.” mutual agreement and agreement to continue cooperation in the future,” Knezevic said.
He said that several faculty members played important roles in Knezevic’s education and life at Trinity. Associate Professor of Political Science Andrew Flippert, Associate Professor of Political Science Ryo Matsuzaki, and Associate Professor of Philosophy Shin Yuegen helped Knzevich on his journey to become a scholar at Yincheng Academy. Knezevic said, “They helped me expand my horizons academically and were there to support me.”
Flippert said that Knezevic receiving the Yenching Scholarship would benefit the student and the Yenching Academy. “He deserves it not only because it will benefit him immensely – no doubt it will – but because he will contribute his energy and talents to the programme, giving whatever he gets in return,” said Flippert.
Eugen added, “Given how far I’ve come [Knezevic] He excelled at Trinity, it is no surprise that he was awarded the scholarship. Of all the students I worked with, he was the most deserving, for his inquisitive mind and extreme work ethic. I know it will be successful.”
Currently, Knezevic is the Youth Delegate of the Republic of Serbia to the United Nations. In this capacity, he represented the youth of his nation before the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as well as before the 12th World Youth Forum of UNESCO in Paris. He is also a member of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Young Ambassadors Program, where he assists Carnegie Senior Fellows with US-China relations research.
After completing his studies at the Yenching Academy, Knezevic plans to pursue a professional career in diplomacy. He said, “What motivated me the most to do my master’s degree with Yenching Academy is that I believe that world affairs change in a profound structural way, and that our knowledge of the world should expand accordingly.” “This is indispensable in the context of maintaining the practice of ensuring peace and stability through mutual understanding and dialogue, particularly with regard to the United States and the People’s Republic of China.”
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