It is my pleasure to welcome you to the website of the Asian Research Center for International Development (ARCID). ARCID was inaugurated in December 2016 by the University. It is a research center under the School of Social Innovation.
We note with interest that at a time when the US is turning inward and Europe undergoing difficult economic and political changes that Asia seems to be growing and thriving. Economically, Asia’s advance is still dependent on traditional Western markets, at least to a certain extent. However, its growth is increasingly propelled by its own investors, entrepreneurs, middle class and consumers. Politically, Asian states are coming together to promote more bilateral and multilateral cooperation. No doubt they are still facing socio-economic and political challenges. For these reasons, ARCID would like to focus its research on Asia, particularly Southeast Asia and its interactions with East Asia (China, Japan and South Korea)
China has become the second largest economy in the world. It will be a superpower. Japan continues to play its traditional role in economics. It would like to play a role in politics and security too. South Korea does not want to be left behind and is interested in plugging into the Asian circuit as an industrialized power.
As such, we believe that it is most pertinent for ARCID to focus on Southeast Asia and its interactions with East Asia. In addition, as a Center located in Northern Thailand, ARCID could take advantage of its geography and focus more on the Mekong region and its relations with the East Asian powers. We hope this research strategy would help a young Research Center to establish a niche in the academic and intellectual community.
ARCID will conduct not only research, but also organize conferences, lectures and seminars. We look forward to your participation and contributions.
Lee Lai To
Senior Professor and Director of ARCID, MFU