Southeast Asian Studies in Asia in the Age of Disruption

Abstract

Today Southeast Asian Studies, as well as the wider Asian Studies, are facing challenges in the new era, the Age of Disruption, the high tech-driven transformation of global society. The consequences are paradoxical. 1) While the tech-led transformation needs a workforce with critical and innovative abilities, higher education has become hyper-utilitarian. 2) While the disruptive transformation has instigated increasing diversity of identities and cultures in the global society, most countries are thriving on STEM education at the expense of that of global diversity. Southeast Asian Studies needs to respond to these challenges.