Southeast Asia Initiative

Established in 2021 within the Harvard University Asia Center, the Southeast Asia Initiative (SEAI) builds on efforts that began in 2008 with the formation of the Committee on Southeast Asian Studies, whose mission was to coordinate the Asia Center's regional activities. SEAI formalized and expanded this work by creating a dedicated staff position—Associate Director for Southeast Asian Programs—and adopting a more structured approach to advancing Southeast Asian studies at Harvard.

A Spring 2023 announcement that the SEAI would fund searches for language preceptors in Filipino (Tagalog), Indonesian, and Thai marked a major step forward in positioning Harvard as a meaningful contributor to the field, both nationally and globally. This commitment continues despite broader challenges facing higher education.

The SEAI's broader mission is to support scholarship at all levels, foster collaboration with academics and practitioners, and strengthen the University’s institutional capacity in the field. Its core pillars are language instruction, student and faculty support, course development, and public programming that reaches not only the Harvard community but also a global audience through hybrid and virtual events.

....................................................................................................................................................................................................

Please consider subscribing to the Southeast Asia Spotlight, the Asia Center's weekly mailing of Southeast Asia events and resources.