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Faculty of Arts

Asia Institute



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The Asia Institute is The University of Melbourne's key centre for studies in Asian languages, cultures and societies. Asia Institute academic staff have an array of research interests and specialisations, and strive to provide leadership in the study of the intellectual, legal, politico-economic, cultural and religious traditions and transformations of Asia and the Islamic world. The Institute is committed to community engagement and offers a dynamic program of academic and community-focused events and cultural exchanges that aim to promote dialogue and debate.

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  • 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.

  • Asia Institute Schoalrships
  • Faculty of Arts Scholarships
  • Asian Civil Society

    This research cluster employs an interdisciplinary approach to analyse the dynamically expanding role of civil society in contemporary Asia.

  • Asian Governance Transformations

    How is governance in Asia changing? What is driving change & how is it being contested? What are the implications for human rights, democracy, social welfare, & foreign relations?

  • Migration, Gender and Environment

    Researchers in this cluster investigate migration in Asia and Australia from gender, environmental, and policy perspectives.

  • Language Dynamics in the Asia Pacific

    This research cluster explores the diverse languages of the Asia-Pacific region - their structures, pragmatics of usage, roles within society, and how they are taught and acquired.

  • Islam and Politics in Contemporary Asia and the Middle East

    This research cluster investigates how Islam plays a significant role in affecting political and social change today.

  • Research projects

    Asia Institute's research projects involve aspects of four target areas (Arabic and Islamic Studies, China, Indonesia, Japan) and also Australia's relationship to Asia.

  • Publications

    Academic staff make significant contributions to the understanding of Asian languages and societies, publishing in English and other languages.

  • Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies (CCCS)

    CCCS plays a vital role in shaping an Australian approach to the study of contemporary China.

  • National Centre for Contemporary Islamic Studies (NCCIS)

    NCCIS provides outstanding higher education level programs in Islamic studies.

  • Undergraduate


    Information about enrolments, placement tests, submissions and extensions.

  • Honours and Graduate Diploma (Advanced)


    Information about course requirements, compulsory subjects, supervision, thesis submissions, extensions, plagiarism and contacts.

  • Graduate coursework


    Information about student services, course requirements, submissions, extensions, academic honesty and more.

  • Graduate research


    Information about facilities, thesis submission and extensions, research administration, student services, handbooks and more.

  • Future students


    Information for future students wishing to undertake an undergraduate, graduate coursework or graduate research degree.

  • Language placement tests


    Take a Language placement test to determine what level of language studies you should be starting at.

  • Asia Institute scholarships
  • Thursday 14 March 2019 5:30pm - 7:00pm
    The Source of Xi Jinping's Extraordinary Power
    Seminar/Forum Rowan Callick;AI;Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies;Asia Institute;China;Governance;
  • Thursday 28 March 2019 5:30pm - 7:00pm
    'Forced' Technology Transfer? Investing in China's Large-Scale Projects
    Seminar/Forum AI;Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies;economics;Asia Institute;China;Policy;arts;Technology;
  • Ear to Asia podcast Episode 38

    Can Japan stop its rapid population decline?

    16 Jan 2019 PODCAST
  • Ear to Asia podcast Episode 37

    Indonesia's foreign policy priorities and predicaments

    17 Dec 2018 PODCAST
  • Picking Up STEAM Episode 3

    Despite the various community benefits, free wi-fi has been slow to take-off in Australia compared to the rest of the world. Why? And should we be more careful in giving our details away for free wi-fi?

    10 Dec 2018 PODCAST
  • Ear to Asia podcast Episode 36

    Homelands harnessing the power of their diasporas

    29 Nov 2018 News
  • Ear to Asia podcast Episode 35

    Will Narendra Modi and the BJP prevail again in 2019?

    12 Nov 2018 PODCAST
  • Ear to Asia podcast Episode 34

    Grappling with identity in Taiwan

    29 Oct 2018 PODCAST
  • Asia Institute videos

    Learn more about the Asia Institute through videos of recent events, seminars and workshops.

  • Ear to Asia

    Ear to Asia is a podcast series produced by Asia Institute. In 2018 the series is hosted by Vice Chancellor's Fellow Ali Moore. Ali is a well-known broadcast journalist and presenter.

  • Talking Indonesia

    The Talking Indonesia podcast presents an interview with experts on Indonesian politics, foreign policy, culture, language and more.

  • 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.

  • Blogs

    Learn more about the Asia Institute's research hubs and affiliated organisations.

  • Engaging with South East Asia

    Seminar series: Engaging with SouthEast Asia: Anxious Nation and Fundamentalist States of Mind

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Faculty of Arts

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