Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies

What Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies does

Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS), legally Pusat Studi Sosial Asia Tenggara Universitas Gadjah Mada (PSSAT UGM), is a multidisciplinary research center embedded within Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Established as a research center in 2015 and housed in UGM's PAU Building, CESASS conducts research, publishes academic outputs, and runs educational programs focused on the social, political, cultural, and economic dimensions of Southeast Asia. Its core offerings include the CESASS Talk and CESASS Chat forum series, an internship program, a research fellowship, summer and short courses (e.g., Smart City 2025, South China Sea Short Course 2026), academic writing workshops, the SEA Movie film series, the annual International Conference on Southeast Asian Studies (ICSAS), and IKAT: The Indonesian Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. The center is led by Director Prof. Dr. Rini Rachmawati and operates with 11-50 staff and researchers.

CESASS earns revenue through a hybrid of institutional research funding and government grants (e.g., FISIPOL funding, Fundamental Research scheme) combined with program fees from internships, workshops, and short courses. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; internship fees depend on activities undertaken. The go-to-market is event-driven: programs are delivered in hybrid format (Zoom plus on-site at the PAU Building) and reach participants through the center's website, social channels (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube), email newsletters, and a network of partner universities and intermediaries including ACICIS, GIZ, KADIN, BRIN, NCCU Taiwan, and various ASEAN and European institutions. The center serves Indonesian and international students, researchers, and academics, with recent program cohorts reaching 164 participants from 26 countries, and engages government and policy stakeholders on issues such as green skills, urban development, and maritime governance.

Name

Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies

Legal name

Pusat Studi Sosial Asia Tenggara Universitas Gadjah Mada

Website

https://pssat.ugm.ac.id

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CESASS is a multidisciplinary research center at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta that conducts research, publishes academic outputs, and runs educational programs on Southeast Asian social studies, serving Indonesian and international students, researchers, and policy stakeholders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Yogyakarta

HQ country

Indonesia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Research Funding and Grants: As a university research center under UGM, CESASS receives institutional funding and government research grants (e.g., FISIPOL funding, Fundamental Research scheme) for conducting research projects.
2. Program Fees: CESASS charges institutional fees for internship programs and receives fees for workshop and course participation. The internship program states that institutional fee depends on the activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

CESASS is a university research center that conducts multidisciplinary research and delivers educational programs on Southeast Asian social studies. Its core offerings include international conferences (ICSAS), summer courses, short courses, research fellowships, internship placements, the CESASS Talk forum series, CESASS Chat student discussions, academic writing workshops, the SEA Movie film program, and the IKAT peer-reviewed academic journal. These programs are delivered in hybrid format and serve Indonesian and international students, researchers, academics, and partner institutions.

Product overview

Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS) is an academic research center at Universitas Gadjah Mada offering a portfolio of educational and research programs focused on Southeast Asian social studies. The core offerings include CESASS Talk (open forum series), CESASS Chat (student-led discussion sessions), the CESASS Internship Program, CESASS Research Fellowship, Summer Course Programs, and International Conferences. These programs are complemented by academic writing workshops, the SEA Movie film series, and IKAT: The Indonesian Journal of Southeast Asian Studies for publications. The center functions as a multidisciplinary platform for scholarly exchange, student development, and regional research collaboration across Southeast Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CESASS Talk: Open forum exploring themes on Southeast Asian history, politics, economy, culture, technology, and human rights featuring academicians
• CESASS Chat
• CESASS Research Fellowship
• IKAT: The Indonesian Journal of Southeast Asian Studies

Products and services

• CESASS Talk An open forum exploring themes on Southeast Asian history, politics, economy, culture, technology, and human rights, featuring academicians who share research insights.
• CESASS Chat Student-led discussion sessions featuring students, scholars, and researchers presenting on Southeast Asian social studies topics, including maritime boundaries, ocean governance, artivism, and regional cooperation.
• CESASS Internship Program An internship program providing Indonesian and international students opportunities to gain academic and practical experience in Southeast Asian studies, with networking access to researchers and experts.
• CESASS Research Fellowship A fellowship program supporting researchers engaged in Southeast Asian social studies research.
• Summer Course Program Annual intensive course programs covering topics such as Smart City and Digital Transformation in Southeast Asia, typically lasting two to three weeks and attracting international participants.
• International Conference on Southeast Asian Studies (ICSAS) Annual international conference on Southeast Asian Studies, co-organized with partner institutions such as National Chengchi University (NCCU) Taiwan, featuring scholarly presentations and discussions on regional themes.
• Academic Writing Workshop Workshop focused on academic writing skills and publication standards, including guidance on writing for Scopus-indexed journals.
• SEA Movie Film screening program showcasing Southeast Asian cinema, featuring discussions on cultural and social themes represented in regional films.
• IKAT: The Indonesian Journal of Southeast Asian Studies A peer-reviewed academic journal publishing research on Southeast Asian studies, including special issues on law, contemporary issues, and regional topics.

Quantifiable outcome

• 164 participants from 26 countries engaged in the 2026 South China Sea Short Course program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Chengchi University (NCCU), TaiwancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2026CESASS UGM co-organizes the International Conference on Southeast Asian Studies (ICSAS) 2026 with NCCU and regional academic partners. The conference will be held November 14-15, 2026 at NCCU in Taipei under the theme 'Transformation of Socio-Cultures, Languages, and Identities in Southeast Asia'. This represents a significant strategic partnership for regional academic collaboration.
• Department of Geodetic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UGMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Collaboration on the South China Sea Short Course Program 2026, bringing multidisciplinary perspectives including maritime governance, regional security, international law, environmental sustainability, and diplomacy.
• Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UGMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Co-organizer of the South China Sea Short Course Program 2026, providing expertise in international relations and regional security studies.
• ASEAN Studies Center UGMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Partner in the South China Sea Short Course Program 2026, contributing ASEAN regional expertise.
• Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026International partner in the South China Sea Short Course Program 2026, providing regional perspectives on Southeast Asian governance and diplomacy.
• Prof. Bernhard Grimm, Humboldt University, GermanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Visiting professor at UGM who shared insights on Southeast Asia's renewable energy future during discussions hosted by CESASS. Represents academic exchange in energy and climate research.
• Ricardo Leong Institute for Global and Area StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2026Leong Institute Fellowship supporting visiting scholars like Dr. Lermie Shayne Garcia to advance academic exchange and research collaboration between Indonesia and the Philippines.
• Jianbang Deng, Tamkang University, TaiwancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026International partner who provided support during UGM's public hearing on the Rector's Regulation on Research Centers. Represents long-standing collaboration dating back to 2019 when Deng served as visiting professor at CESASS.
• Dr. Priyambudi Sulistiyanto, Flinders University, AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2026Visiting Scholar at UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (March 30 - April 21, 2026). Political anthropologist focusing on Indonesian politics and comparative politics in Southeast Asia.
• Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Collaboration to explore how national policy frameworks for green employment can be effectively implemented at the industry level. CESASS leads a UGM initiative involving School of Applied Sciences and Department of Geodetic Engineering to advance green skills and green jobs development.
• Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (ACICIS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2025Partnership for internship program hosting ACICIS students through the Flexible Language Immersion Program (FLIP). Three ACICIS students undertaking internships at CESASS. Regular coordination meetings to review and improve the program.
• Conference on Media, Communication, and Sociology (COMICOS) 2026, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Atma Jaya Yogyakarta UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2025MoU signing for journal collaboration between COMICOS 2026 and IKAT: The Indonesian Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, hosted at CESASS UGM.
• Faculty of Geography UGMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2025Collaborative partner in the Smart City, Digital Transformation, and Society in Southeast Asia Summer Course Program 2025. The Faculty of Geography was recognized for its support and collaboration.
• Universiti Sains MalaysiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2025International academic partner contributing speakers and expertise to CESASS programs. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khoo Suet Leng delivered sessions on creative cities during the summer course.
• Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDomestic partner university contributing speakers to summer course programs.
• Universitas Indonesia (UI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university contributing to research collaboration on Nusantara Capital City development.
• BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research institution partner in Indonesian Collaborative Research (RKI) on Nusantara Capital City development.
• Sagaing University of Education, MyanmarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partner contributing to Indonesian Collaborative Research (RKI) team.
• Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies (ASEAS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic journal partnership for special issue 'Rethinking the Social World in the 21st Century' with CESASS researchers as guest editors.
• ASEAN FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation, served as speaker at CESASS Talk Series events.
• Faculty of Cultural Science UGMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of ICSAS 2026 at National Chengchi University, Taiwan, together with CESASS.
• Direktorat Partnerships and Global Relations UGMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided grant supporting the Smart City Summer Course 2025, facilitating international program organization for second consecutive year.
• Vrije Universiteit, NetherlandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational university sending interns to CESASS, including Hüdanur Yildirim who participated in IGSSCI conference.
• Murdoch University, AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational university contributing interns to CESASS program, including Zacharie Nichols-Lang who conducted Australia sharing session.
• University of Queensland, AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational university contributing student presentations, including Cameron Regan on marine infrastructure security.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing Indonesia's roadmap for Green Jobs and Green Skills (2022) with Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) and KADIN, referenced in CESASS green skills initiative.
• Universitas Gadjah MadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent institution supporting CESASS as one of 23 research centers. Vice Rector Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko visited CESASS to reinforce role of research centers in advancing Tridharma.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia: Jakarta-based policy research institute covering Indonesian and Southeast Asian political, economic, and strategic issues. Comparable to CESASS in mandate (multidisciplinary Southeast Asian policy research) and overlapping in policy-facing outputs and government partnerships.
• ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute: Singapore's flagship think tank for Southeast Asian studies. It directly parallels CESASS's regional-studies research mission, conference programming, and journal publications, and competes for the same pool of visiting scholars and policy influence across ASEAN.
• Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS): Nordic-based interdisciplinary institute for Asian studies producing research, publishing journals (Asian Review), and hosting scholars on Southeast Asia. Closely comparable in academic-research-plus-publishing model to CESASS's IKAT and conference activities.
• Asian Research Institute, National University of Singapore (ARI-NUS): University-based, multidisciplinary Asia research institute producing working papers, conferences, and policy engagement. Closely parallels CESASS's structure under a flagship Asian university and its combined research-plus-events programming.
• College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University (ANU): Leading Asia-Pacific academic and policy college offering research, conferences, and graduate training on the region. Comparable to CESASS in academic depth, regional convening power, and government engagement.
• Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University: Australian centre focused on Asia (with strong Indonesia/Southeast Asia coverage) engaging in research, publications, and visiting-scholar hosting. Already a CESASS partner via intern/exchange arrangements, and competes for the same Indonesian-focused grants and cohort.
• Center for Southeast Asian Studies, University of Wisconsin–Madison: US Title VI National Resource Center for Southeast Asian Studies. Parallel to CESASS in offering summer/short programs, research fellowships, conferences, and outreach on the region, and competes for visiting scholars and US-funded research grants.
• Cornell Southeast Asia Program (SEAP): Long-running US Southeast Asia studies program combining language training, conferences, fellowships, and publications. Directly comparable to CESASS's mix of courses, fellowships, conferences (ICSAS), and academic publication via IKAT.

Others

• Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (ACICIS): Australian organization running in-country Indonesian study programs (including the Flexible Language Immersion Program). Sits in an adjacent ecosystem to CESASS — already a sending partner for interns — and competes/collaborates over Australian student placements in Indonesia.

Regional players

• Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Kyoto University: Japan's premier Southeast Asian studies institute with field stations and a long publication record. Comparable in research output and conference activity to CESASS, though anchored in Japan rather than Southeast Asia itself.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies