Founded in 2009 by Kyushu University’s International Student Centre (ISC), the ASEAN in Today’s World (AsTW) program is a short-term study abroad initiative centered on the ASEAN region, which has seen significant growth in global political and economic influence. The program’s main goal is to develop individuals who can serve as future ambassadors for Asia, actively engaging in international affairs. Acknowledging the need for people who can connect Asia with the rest of the world, the ISC initiated and implemented the program.

Since its inception, AsTW has been a collaborative project involving various prestigious universities in ASEAN nations as host institutions. By 2025, six leading universities across ASEAN and Japan—Universiti Malaya, Mahidol University, Ateneo de Manila University, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Fukuoka Women’s University, and Kyushu University—will work together on this initiative. With the support of the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN University Network (AUN), these institutions aim to foster global leaders with a deep understanding of ASEAN’s role on the world stage.

In 2024, Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Faculty of Law pledged to join the consortium, further extending the program’s reach and impact in 2025. This collaboration highlights a shared commitment to promoting cross-cultural exchange, understanding, and cooperation both within and beyond the ASEAN region. Participants in AsTW not only acquire academic knowledge but also develop crucial cultural and diplomatic skills necessary for navigating today’s interconnected world.