【FILA】Research Seminar by Professor Dr. Sity Daud from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Sustainable Development, Vulnerabilities, and Resilience: Malaysia and ASEAN

On 9 July 2025, the Faculty of International Liberal Arts (FILA) at Soka University, in collaboration with the Center for Malaysian Studies　（CMS）, hosted a Faculty Development (FD) Research Seminar featuring Professor Dr. Sity Daud, Professor of Political Economy at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and President of the Malaysian Social Science Association (PSSM).

The seminar, titled “Sustainable Development, Vulnerabilities, and Resilience: Malaysia and ASEAN”, provided a comprehensive overview of the progress and challenges related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the ASEAN region, as well as key initiatives for building resilience at the regional level. Professor Sity highlighted the critical role that Malaysia is expected to play as the Chair of the ASEAN Summit in 2025, emphasizing the country's leadership responsibilities in promoting inclusivity, sustainability, and regional cooperation.

The presentation was followed by a dynamic Q&A session, where participants engaged in thoughtful discussions on topics such as ASEAN's political-security challenges, intra-regional economic integration, and Malaysia’s diplomatic strategies in light of global uncertainties.

Participants—including both students and faculty—described the session as an invaluable opportunity to gain realistic insights into the complexities of ASEAN cooperation. Many remarked that the seminar provided important perspectives on Malaysia’s approach to SDGs and regional security, and deepened their understanding of ASEAN’s strategic direction toward 2045.

This seminar marked a significant step forward in strengthening academic exchange between Soka University and Malaysian institutions. The Center for Malaysian Studies remains committed to advancing education and research collaboration that contributes to the sustainable development and regional integration of Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Malaysia.

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