New Institute to Build Better Neighbourhood Watch

ANU Media Alert
News from The Australian National University

MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012

New Institute to Build Better Neighbourhood Watch

Australia’s understanding of its closest neighbours and place in the region is set to improve with the launch of a new research institute at The Australian National University tomorrow.

The Southeast Asia Institute, based in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, will be officially launched by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan, who will speak on the future of the region and ASEAN.

Head of the Institute, Professor Robert Cribb said that the new institute will bring together the University’s unrivalled level of expertise on Southeast Asia and promote greater understanding of its many diverse nations, as well as of ASEAN.

“ANU has the largest community of academic specialists on Southeast Asia in the world, outside Southeast Asia itself. Our 80 academics conduct significant research on the region as well as supervise some 200 research students,” said Professor Cribb.

“Our experts also teach at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels with an unequalled focus on languages, including Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, Tetum and Javanese.

“The University’s strength in Southeast Asian studies is based on a long history of engagement, and our research has strongly shaped national and international understandings of the region.

“The Institute will build on this and complete specialist research and work on Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam. It will also undertake work on ASEAN, which has not only kept the peace and promoted stability in Southeast Asia, but is playing a soothing role behind the scenes in the volatile international politics of East Asia.”

WHAT: Launch of Southeast Asia Institute and lecture on the Future of ASEAN by ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan

WHEN: 5.30 - 7pm, Tuesday 23 October 2012

WHERE: Lecture Theatre 1, Hedley Bull Centre, Garran Road, ANU

© Scoop Media