ISEAS: Studying Southeast Asia

This book is about a unique Singapore institution established in 1968 to study Southeast Asia because none existed in the region at that time. There was a conspicuous lack of academic research by Southeast Asian scholars about their neighbouring countries. The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) was set up to address this gap in knowledge. Since its inception, ISEAS has carved its niche in academia with deep research about a vast, complex and heterogeneous region beset by rapid transformation. In a real way its studies on Southeast Asia is an unfinished business and still a work in progress as change continues apace in a diverse region that has grown in importance. As a pioneering research institution, ISEAS occupies a special place in the republic’s academic landscape. It is thus opportune for the Institute to mark its new name ISEAS—Yusof Ishak Institute on the fiftieth anniversary of Singapore’s independence with the publication of abook about its history.