Institute for Advanced Studies

INTRODUCTION

Future Studies at the Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Universiti Malaya explores emerging trends and anticipates future challenges through strategic foresight and interdisciplinary research. This initiative enables scholars, policymakers, and communities to navigate uncertainty, critically assess change and make informed decisions from a long-term perspective across diverse real-world settings. IAS actively engages in a variety of activities to fulfil this mission, including mini projects on Futures Studies under the Student Holistic Elective (SHE) courses, as well as collaborations with Assoc Prof Dr Nur Anisah Abdullah from the College of Education, Tamkang University.

OBJECTIVES

To lead strategic foresight and futures thinking initiatives that address emerging global challenges among academics, students, policymakers, industry partners, and communities.
To promote interdisciplinary research, academic activities, and collaborations that explore possible, probable, and preferred futures across diverse sectors and communities.
To strengthen capacity and expertise in Futures Studies through workshops, training programmes, scholarly engagement, and partnerships with local and international experts.
To integrate Futures Studies principles and foresight approaches into teaching, learning, research, and student development activities.

PEOPLE

Director: Dr Song Sze Looi (szelooi@um.edu.my)

Deputy Director: Dr Thibeorchews Prasankumar (prasankumar@um.edu.my)

ACTIVITIES

2026

No.	Date \| Time \| Venue	Event Details
1.	Discussion and Engagement with Associate Professor Dr Nur Anisah Abdullah 20 April 2026 Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS)

2025

No.	Date \| Time \| Venue	Event Details
1.	The Art of Academic Writing, Presentation and Future-Proof Thinking 24 November 2025 Hotel Armada, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
2.	The Art of Academic Writing, Presentation and Future-Proof Thinking 25 November 2025 Hotel Armada, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
3.	TMini Project On Futures Studies By Gbh0033 Student Foresight Lab (She Programme) Envisioning the Future: Innovation & Foresight