Habib Institute for Asian Studies

Feature on student ambassador to Hiroshima Megan Lolley was part of a summit to join Hiroshima University with the University of Idaho through the Asian studies program.

Understanding Asia, engaging the world

The Habib Institute for Asian Studies (HIAS) is a multidisciplinary center in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences dedicated to promoting global understanding and engagement with the nations and cultures of Asia.

Through academic programs, research, cultural events, public lectures and student experiences on campus and abroad, the institute offers opportunities for students, U of I employees and the broader Idaho community to prepare for an interconnected, global future.

Whether through language study, international partnerships or engaging Asia-related programming, the Habib Institute fosters dialogue, discovery and cultural appreciation across disciplines.

Explore courses

HIAS supports and promotes coursework and language instruction in:

For more course listings, visit the course catalog website.

Study abroad and international engagement

HIAS encourages students to deepen their global perspective through study abroad programs in countries including Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, India and Thailand.

Opportunities include semester exchanges, summer sessions and short-term courses, such as the spring break program "History of Taiwan" (HIST 2040). The International Programs Office and Education Abroad team can help students explore programs and funding options to make study abroad accessible and rewarding.

Collaborating across borders

The Habib Institute for Asian Studies (HIAS) builds meaningful international partnerships that advance faculty research, promote cultural exchange and foster innovative global collaborations. Through these connections, HIAS strengthens academic excellence, supports cross-cultural understanding and creates new opportunities for students and scholars to engage with Asia’s dynamic regions.

Our global partners include:

HIAS events

The Habib Institute for Asian Studies presents a wide range of academic, cultural and public engagement events throughout the year. From AsiaPOP! to distinguished speaker series to film screenings and international symposia, HIAS connects students, faculty and community members with global voices and critical conversations shaping Asia today.

Explore our event series

Ambassador Philip C. Habib Asian Affairs Speakers Series

This series features expert speakers discussing key topics in U.S. China relations and other Asian geopolitical issues. Engaging with global challenges, these talks foster understanding and offer insights into international diplomacy.

Asia on the Palouse Speakers Series

Renowned scholars from around the world present research on Asian studies, fostering cross-disciplinary discussions that explore cultural, historical and social dynamics across Asia.

University of Idaho Asian Film Series

Experience a curated selection of classic and contemporary Asian cinema. This series celebrates the diversity of Asian film, featuring screenings of iconic movies from Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and beyond.

HIAS-ORED Asia Research Brown Bag Series

The Asia Research Brown Bag Series highlights and promotes Asia-related research happening at U of I and around the Palouse. Faculty members, postdocs and graduate students are welcome to present their research at any stage of development.

Honoring Ambassador Philip C. Habib

The Habib Institute for Asian Studies proudly carries forward the legacy of Ambassador Philip C. Habib (1920–1992), one of University of Idaho’s most distinguished alumni and a global symbol of diplomacy and peacebuilding. Born in New York City, Habib earned his degree in Forestry from University of Idaho in 1942. During his student years, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service, participated in forestry summer camp, and served as editor of the Idaho Forester.

Following four years of military service during World War II, Habib pursued his doctorate in economics at University of California, Berkeley. His career as a foreign service officer spanned more than three decades, during which he played pivotal roles in shaping U.S. foreign policy in Asia and the Middle East. Habib served as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

A key U.S. negotiator at the Paris Peace Accords, Habib helped bring an end to the Vietnam War and later brokered major peace agreements involving Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, and the Philippines. In recognition of his extraordinary service, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1982.

Habib’s name lives on in South Korea, where the U.S. ambassador’s residence is known as the “Habib House,” and in Washington, D.C., where a major state department conference room bears his name. The Habib Institute for Asian Studies honors his lifelong commitment to diplomacy, intercultural understanding and global engagement through its mission today.