Life isn't divided up into neat disciplinary boxes. Learning about the world shouldn't be boxed in either.
Why limit learning to just one box? At the Department of Southeast Asian Studies, we break free from narrow disciplinary boundaries and offer a dynamic, subject-oriented curriculum. Our truly interdisciplinary approach blends diverse perspectives and methodologies from the humanities and social sciences, all deeply rooted in local experiences and knowledge. For students seeking a more holistic way to explore the world, this is where your journey begins.
News
Instagramming Colonialism in Surabaya by Noandha Dhegaska
Noandha Dhegaska, currently pursuing her MA in Contemporary Southeast Asia at the National University of Singapore, has contributed an insightful piece to New Mandala titled “Instagramming colonialism in Surabaya” (12 August 2025). In this timely analysis, she examines the revival of Surabaya’s colonial-era “Old Town” as a staged, photogenic heritage site highlighting how its aesthetic …
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“Huh, Southeast Asian Studies? Have ah?” – Meet Our 2025 Valedictorian Ning Poh
Valedictorian Spotlight: Ms Ning Poh, Class of 2025 “Huh Southeast Asian Studies? Have ah? Why you take?”That’s the question Ning Poh, our Class of 2025 Valedictorian, has fielded more times than she can count. But if there’s one thing Ning’s journey shows us, it’s that following your passion (no matter how niche it seems) is …
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The art of academics: NUS graduates on pursuing their artistic passions
In marking 120 years of excellence, innovation and service, the University also celebrates the achievements of 17,646 graduates from the NUS Class of 2025.
Has China’s great relocation helped Southeast Asia industrialise?
By Adj Asst Prof Maria Monica Wihardja (NUS Southeast Asian Studies) and Ms Midzuki Low, Analyst in the Industry Research Dept at Mizuho Bank based in Singapore.
#Minimosque: Cov-Eid as Image, Event, and Archive
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of mosques in Singapore, preventing Muslims from gathering for communal prayers and rituals. Projects such as “Living with COVID-19 in Southeast Asia: Personal and Visual Experiences of Crisis, Control, and Community”, the NUS Asia Research Institute’s crowdsourced visual archive on pandemic life in Southeast Asia attempted to organise the …
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Book on religion and the environment by Dr Faizah Zakaria accorded prestigious Association for Asian Studies award
Dr Zakaria’s book explores how religious beliefs and practices have influenced the way people in the region interact with their environment, specifically with respect to the natural world.