The International Conference on Southeast Asian Socio-Cultural Studies (ICSAS) is a prominent academic platform dedicated to exploring the complex and dynamic socio-cultural landscapes of Southeast Asia.
Since its inception in 2023, ICSAS has served as a vital nexus for researchers, educators, and practitioners worldwide to engage in critical discourse regarding identity, language, and cultural evolution within the region. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogues and cross-border collaborations, the conference aims to advance scholarship and provide actionable insights into the contemporary challenges and opportunities facing Southeast Asia.
Starting in 2026, ICSAS undergoes a significant and visionary transformation. Building upon the successful foundation laid by NCCU’s earlier annual editions, the conference now opens its doors more widely, envisioning shared leadership in the future among sister institutions across Southeast Asia.
Driven by the strategic efforts of the College of Foreign Languages and Literature at NCCU, this pivotal shift has led to the formation of a robust four-university collaboration, proudly co-hosted alongside Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM, Indonesia), VNU-University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU-USSH, Vietnam), and Thammasat University (TU, Thailand). In line with this strategic expansion, starting from 2026, the ICSAS will transition to a biennial format to cultivate deeper, long-term international academic partnerships.
Under the theme "Transformation of Socio-Cultures, Languages, and Identities in Southeast Asia", this 3rd edition critically examines the profound shifts reshaping the region. It addresses pressing global and regional developments—including migration, digitalization, cultural hybridity, and evolving language use—while stressing interdisciplinary perspectives.
Guided by this collective spirit, National Chengchi University is honored to facilitate this milestone international exchange. By providing this dynamic and increasingly shared platform, the 2026 edition strengthens the ties between Taiwan and Southeast Asia, fosters a collaborative academic ecosystem, and broadens our collective global influence.
Spearheaded by NCCU and supported by funding from Taiwan's MOE New Southbound Policy, the 2024 edition took the crucial first step toward international co-hosting by partnering with Thaksin University (Thailand).
A major highlight of this NCCU-led initiative was the integration of the inaugural "Zhinan Art Festival." The festival showcased traditional Southeast Asian performing arts—particularly dance and music—emphasizing the vital role of cultural heritage, creative industries, and artistic preservation in shaping regional identity.
Initiated and hosted exclusively by NCCU, the inaugural conference successfully laid the groundwork for a dedicated Southeast Asian academic network in Taiwan, acting as a vital bridge between Taiwan and scholars and institutions across the Southeast Asian region.
Featuring 23 presentations and a thought-provoking keynote speech by Prof. David Henley (Leiden University) on regional identity and geopolitics, the event attracted over 100 attendees, establishing NCCU’s foundational vision for the future of the ICSAS platform.