RMIT Asia Hub

Building Australia’s Asia Intelligence

The RMIT Asia Hub builds Australia’s Asia Intelligence by pioneering innovative approaches to understanding and engaging with Asia.

A collaboration between RMIT University and Asia Society Australia, the RMIT Asia Hub is a dynamic research, learning and events hub based in Melbourne with connections across Australia and Asia.

The RMIT Asia Hub aims to deepen Australian business, student and community understanding of Asia by placing Asian Australians at the centre of its programming, connecting directly to industry, and leveraging the combined expertise and networks of Hub partners.

The Hub co-locates the Asia Society Australia, Australian APEC Study Centre and the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute (AVPI) in a modern facility in the heart of RMIT’s Melbourne City campus.

Hub offerings

Leadership development programs

The Hub works to enhance Australia’s Asia Intelligence by offering leadership development programs designed to increase Australian business professionals’ contextual and cultural understanding of Asia, better equipping them to take advantage of commercial opportunities across the region.

Thought leadership

The Hub develops and shares research and insights on regional priority areas, provides a platform for discussion and learning, and cultivates a local and international network of government, industry and academic professionals with a shared interest in Asia.

Global student experiences

Located at RMIT University’s Melbourne city campus, the Hub supports RMIT University students to better understand and engage with Asia. The Hub complements existing student coursework, offering a practical, immersive and global student experience.

Programs

IEIF – ASEAN Research Collaboration Project

The ASEAN Research Collaboration Project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education through the International Education Innovation Fund (IEIF) and is supported by the RMIT Asia Hub. This program will deliver between 75-100 Early Career Researchers (ERCs) from eligible ASEAN countries to complete a one to three-month research placement at an Australian research institution.

Learn more about the project

News and resources

Australian Business in ASEAN Survey 2023-2024

The eighth edition of the annual AustCham ASEAN survey was supported by RMIT University. It presents the most current and comprehensive insight into the Australian business chambers and councils, and their members, across the ASEAN region.

Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has released a Strategy that sets out pathways to significantly increase Australia's two-way trade and investment with Southeast Asia.

New report aims to strengthen Victoria’s connections with Southeast Asia

A new report out of the RMIT Asia Trade and Innovation Hub has made 19 recommendations designed to strengthen Victoria’s connections with the countries of Southeast Asia.

Gateway to Asia opens in the heart of Melbourne

The Asia Trade and Innovation Hub is now open in the heart of Melbourne’s academic and innovation precinct, providing a physical and digital ‘front door’ for Victorians to engage in the region.

View more +

Featured reports

Summary Paper: Engaging Australia’s Southeast Asian Business Community

In March 2024, the RMIT Asia Hub, in collaboration with Asia Society Australia, brought together several diaspora leaders in Australia from key ASEAN countries to discuss strengthening business links and identify key activities and opportunities to support SMEs in Australia to engage in two-way opportunities.

Read the summary paper

In 2022, the Hub released a series of three reports with the goal of enhancing the relationship between Victoria and Southeast Asia.

Report 1: Trade and Investment Opportunities

Report 2: The art/s of exchange

Report 3: Industry 4.0 in Vietnam

Regional Collaboration: Transnational Security Training

RMIT’s transnational security training activities are a key part of our focus on regional collaboration and our network of Industry and Innovation Hubs across the region.

View website

Location

The RMIT Asia Hub is located at 360 Swanston St, nestled in amongst RMIT’s bustling City Campus. You’ll find us at the sub-street level of RMIT University Building 8, within RMIT’s CBD North.

The Hub serves as a connected space for Asia Society Australia, the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute and The Australian APEC Study Centre.

Address

Level 2, Building 8

RMIT University, 368-374 Swanston St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Core partners

Get in touch

Want to connect and collaborate with us? We would love to hear from you!

Email asia.hub@rmit.edu.au

Connect with us

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information