ISEAS 50th Anniversary

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, as it was then called, was established in 1968 by then Deputy Prime Minister Dr Goh Keng Swee in order to enable the newly independent city-state better understand the region and its complexities. Since its establishment, ISEAS has dedicated itself to researching the political, economic and socio-cultural dynamics and trends in Southeast Asia for policymakers, scholars, and other relevant stakeholders. On 12 August 2015, the Institute was officially renamed ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, in honour of Singapore’s first President. 

The 50th anniversary logo represents our golden jubilee milestone and also our aspirations as we move forward.

The tagline “Unity Through Understanding” was selected from a number of suggestions by our staff.  It reflects ISEAS’ aspirations, through our research activities, to promote understanding of the region, which in turn will serve as a catalyst in achieving harmony and unity.

As we move forward, and with all your support, we will continue to play our part in bringing about a deeper understanding of our vibrant region amidst the constant socio-political, economic and cultural changes around us.

Below is the list of ISEAS staff interviewed from December 2017 to March 2018 for their insights on the anniversary (by alphabetical order):