Introduction: 本所於1996年8月1日正式成立，為全國第一間東南亞研究所。我國政府在1993年12月推動加強與東南亞經濟和貿易關係的南向政策，政府與社會各界殷切期盼在高等教育設立一所專門研究東南亞的研究機構，培養東南亞研究以及在東南亞從事商業關係的人才。基此考慮，本校於1995年向教育部申設東南亞研究所並獲核准，於1996年3月正式招生，8月1日正式成立運作。本所之設立宗旨，基於人本主義之關懷，對台灣南部鄰居的東南亞人民、民族的活動進行研究。教育部在2008年初決議獨立所師資需有七人，而本所師資無法在短期內達成此一目標，校方決定採取兩所合併方式，於是本所於2009年8月與日本所合併，新所名為亞洲研究所，本所改為亞洲研究所東南亞研究組，所有師資及課程均維持不變。

The Graduate Institute of Southeast Asian Studies(GISEAS) was established on August 1, 1996. It is the first institute of studying on the Southeast Asian affairs in Taiwan. The focus of the GISEAS is put on the political and economic fields from an interdisciplinary perspective, and also applying the comparative approach to study the cross-nations and cross-culture. Its major fields focus on the national domestic politics, economy, social and culture, regional strategies and security,manpower, emigrant, marriage, gender, ASEAN and international relations in Southeast Asia. The scope and direction of the course design is directed to practical and academic orientation. A systematic study is an important requirement for the students. The master degree would be granted to the students who completed the at least 32 credits and passing the oral examination on their thesis proposal and final thesis.