Become A Part of the AIMS Community
The AIMS Programme has grown its network through the dedicated efforts of stakeholders, offering valuable learning opportunities for both students and universities across the region. Interested in joining? Whether as a university or an individual student, explore the information below to discover the benefits and steps to becoming part of the AIMS Programme.
Getting involved as a university
To join the AIMS Programme, universities must be nominated by their respective ministry or relevant national authority responsible for higher education. The nomination process varies by country, so interested universities should consult their government and refer to the AIMS Programme Handbook for guidance. Only a Member Country government can initiate your institution’s involvement.
The benefits of joining AIMS
Strengthen the capacity of your International Relations Office to support mobility and create an environment for international education to benefit your institution.
Improve the quality of your programmes and academic courses through the sharing of experiences in internationalising curricula, teaching, and research.
Enhance the potential for networking and partnership with other regional and international universities towards new possibilities for cooperation and innovation.
Offer students a pathway that equips them with intercultural skills that enhance a sense of regional identity and improve their ability to apply their skills in diverse contexts.
Getting involved as a student
Students apply to the AIMS Programme for various personal reasons, yet many shares common goals. If these resonate with you, consider applying:
- You seek to broaden your perspectives, embrace new challenges, and experience life in another country in this region.
- You aim to boost your employability with international experience and cross-cultural skills, becoming a well-rounded and responsible global citizen.
- You ae excited to be in a part of an extensive network of AIMS alumni and ambassadors.
- You want to build lasting friendships and community ties across the region.
How to apply as a student
To join the AIMS Programme, you must be an undergraduate at a participating member university. Eligibility depends on meeting the requirements of your chosen host university and completing the selection process at your home university. For detailed information on applying, please contact your university’s International Relations Office (IRO).
Where can you go?
The AIMS Programme includes 10 Member Countries—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—offering exchanges across 7 disciplines, 1 interdisciplinary field and 87 universities. For details on participating universities, explore our Destination Guide. To learn more about available disciplines, check out our overview of Disciplines.
Frequently asked questions
Academic credit for each course that you complete during your exchange is transferable based upon prior agreement between your home and host university. It is advisable to confirm the arrangement of credit transfer with your home and host university prior to your departure.
Scholarships and/or other forms of financial support are available to AIMS students and may vary depending on the policies set by national governments and home universities of each Member Country. Please contact the International Relations Office at your home university for more information regarding financial support.
The requirements of each host university may differ based on the agreement they have with your home university. As all courses are offered in English, you may be requested to provide evidence of your English proficiency. For details on other requirements such as visa, permit of stay and medical examinations, please contact the International Relations Office at your home university.
Both your home and host universities provide you with pre-departure and on-arrival orientations to support your study abroad. Home and host universities work together to offer various information and other supports available to students throughout all stages of your exchange.
SEAMEO RIHED also organises Virtual Regional Orientation for new AIMS students every semester for you to meet other AIMS students. Please follow AIMS social media and IROs for upcoming events.
Currently, the AIMS Programme offers single semester exchanges at an undergraduate level within the discipline of your study at a home university.
Once you’ve successfully completed an exchange in the AIMS Programme, your host university will issue you an AIMS Certificate of Completion and transcript of your study. Additionally, your home university will facilitate your involvement in the AIMS Alumni Network after your programme completion.