Asia Institute

Asian studies

The countries of Asia are Australia's largest trading partners and are of vital importance to Australia's economic growth and security. For Australians, Asia increasingly defines who we are and our place in the world.

Arabic studies

Arabic is is the fifth most commonly spoken native language in the world, with about 230 million people speaking it as their first language. Arabic studies students at the Asia Institute will learn not only about reading, writing and speaking in Arabic, but also living and interacting in the 'Arab way'.

Chinese language and studies

China is a 'rising power' in the Western Pacific region whose future importance for Australia is hard to over-estimate. China's current levels of investment in research and development and in the tertiary sector indicate that China is poised to make a very rapid transition to a 'knowledge economy'.

Gender Studies

The Gender Studies program at The University of Melbourne offers students the potential to learn about issues such as sexual difference, gender equity, queer politics and sexuality, from a variety of thought-provoking and provocative perspectives.

Indonesian language and studies

Indonesia's geographic proximity and strategic importance to Australia make it vital to understand its peoples, politics, history, languages and cultures.

Islamic studies

The Islamic studies program at The University of Melbourne provides students with the opportunity to study the development of Islamic thought and Muslim societies from a broad multidisciplinary perspective.

Japanese language and studies

The study of Japanese language and culture gives the individual insight not only into a deep and diverse culture but also provides important contrasts when considering various nations' roles in the Asia Pacific region.

Language Other Than English (LOTE) accreditation exams

The Asia Institute holds up to three examinations for LOTE accreditation for prospective teachers of Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian and Japanese each year.

Research interests

Research interests of staff and graduate students at Asia Institute are broad, spanning a wide range disciplines as well the various language and area specialisations.

Research centres and networks

Asia Institute is associated with the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies, the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies and the Population, Migration and Multicultural Studies Network.

Research projects

The Asia Institute is distinguished by its active research profile. Faculty and graduate research projects involve not only aspects of our four target areas (Arabic and Islamic Studies, China, Indonesia, Japan) but also, and very importantly, Australia's relationship to Asia.

Research publications

Academic staff make significant contributions to the understanding of Asian languages and societies. Publications are often in English but staff also make important contributions to literature in other languages, increasing our international profile.

Civil Society in Asia: International conference in Melbourne

Asia Institute presents Civil Society in Asia: International conference in Melbourne, a two day conference between 2-3 February 2017 that features Civil Society in Asia.

International Society for the Study of Chinese Overseas (ISSCO) 2018 - Oceania Regional conference

ISSCO 2018 / 2018世界海外华人研究学会 - 大洋洲地区会议

海外华人与当代中国崛起：移民、定居与跨国网络