The Asia-Europe Institute has successfully established itself as one of Southeast Asia’s leading institutions for social science postgraduate research and teaching. Established under the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) with a philosophy of enhancing Asia-Europe relations, AEI aims to foster the exchange of students and scholars for a better understanding of the cultures, histories, politics, institutions, economics, business and legal practices of both regions. The origins of AEI can be traced back to the idea of establishing closer higher education linkages between Asia and Europe under the provisions of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) initiative in 1996.
In 1997, the Government of Malaysia established the Asia-Europe Centre (AEC), the first step of Asia-Europe university cooperation in education designed to support the Fourth Pillar of the ASEM process. Three years after its inception, on 2 January 2000, the AEC was transformed into a full-fledged academic institution. It was renamed Asia-Europe Institute (AEI) and hosted by the Universiti Malaya, the oldest university in Malaysia.
Over the years, AEI has received continuous support from the Government of Malaysia, working in partnership with other ASEM countries. This reflects Malaysia’s commitment towards the globalisation of higher education and to provide a network of knowledge within Asia and Europe in the twenty-first century.
AEI aims to be a place where intellectual discourses are held and key issues on globalisation and regionalisation, environment, international business, innovation and technologies and inter-regional relations between Asia and Europe are discussed. Our research pillars and range of international postgraduate courses indicate the breadth and quality of expertise that the AEI can bring to bear. As such, our postgraduate students are central to the realization of a collaborative and innovative education hub for the future.
Last Update: 03/10/2022