The ASEAN in Today’s World (AsTW) program, founded by Kyushu University in 2009, is a unique two-week international study program focused on ASEAN and East Asian affairs. This program, designed for undergraduate students from around the world, offers courses primarily in English, making it accessible to a global audience.

Since its inception, AsTW has been a collaborative initiative involving several prestigious universities in the ASEAN region. It began in Thailand, co-organized by Kyushu University and Mahidol University from 2009 to 2011. The program then moved to the Philippines, hosted by Ateneo de Manila University from 2012 to 2014. Following this, Vietnam National University Hanoi took over from 2015 to 2017. From 2018 to 2020, the program was held at Universiti Malaya in Malaysia, and from 2021 to 2024, it returned to its origins with joint hosting by Kyushu University and Mahidol University. In 2025, Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia hosted the program. Next year, Vietnam National University, Hanoi will hold the AsTW2026 on its vibrant campus.

ASEAN today continues to realise the vision of its Founding Fathers and the aspirations of its peoples to live in peace, harmony, and prosperity. In this context, we recognize the important role of our youth as a catalyst for economic, social and cultural progress. We strive to instil in them a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, which is crucial for future ASEAN leaders.

In line with this, programmes such as ‘ASEAN in Today’s World’ are welcomed in strengthening ASEAN awareness among the peoples of the region, as well as in promoting a culture of peace and mutual understanding. To this end, I commend the ‘ASEAN in Today’s World’ initiative for enabling the region’s young people to get to know each other better while developing the knowledge and life skills they need to successfully navigate today’s world and the future.

The ASEAN Secretariat remains committed in promoting positive initiatives such as this, with a view towards increasing people-to-people interactions and mobility within and outside the ASEAN region.

Secretary –General of ASEAN