Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) at University of Michigan

About Us

Founded In 1961, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) at the International Institute is one of the oldest centers in the U.S. devoted to the Southeast Asian region. CSEAS seeks to promote a broader and deeper understanding of Southeast Asia, its people, histories, practices, and languages. The center is committed to creating a supportive environment where scholars, educators, students and community members have the opportunity to engage in dialogue related to Southeast Asia.

As a designated National Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Education, CSEAS supports the teaching on several languages designated as areas of national need, and are of increasing importance in today’s work force.

Mission Statement

The center is committed to promoting a broader and deeper understanding of Southeast Asia and its histories, cultures, and peoples by providing resources for faculty, students and the community to learn and disseminate knowledge about the region.

The Center works to obtain this goal by:

supporting Southeast Asia faculty associates from all U-M departments and professional schools
producing outstanding Southeast Asia experts through our MA program and with other university degree programs
consulting for the U.S. government, foundations, media and international agencies
collaborating on faculty exchanges with Southeast Asian academic institutions
seeking opportunities for faculty and students to interact with people from the region
encouraging students to travel to the region for study, service, temporary employment or independent research
providing support to our faculty to secure grants for research in Southeast Asia
bringing Southeast Asian scholars from the region and elsewhere in the world to U-M to teach and use our library resources and research facilities
organizing conferences, lectures and performances
conducting workshops and institutes for educators in primary, secondary and post-secondary schools

[Official website: https://www.ii.umich.edu/cseas/about-us.html]