Flinders University is teaming up with the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia to stage the nation’s largest ever Asian studies conference.

Adelaide will host the Ninth Biennial International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS 9) from July 5-9 which is expected to attract 1,000 delegates from more than 50 countries.

This will be the first time the convention has ever been held in Australia. It will provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest research on Asia – from business, energy and defence to tourism, food and wine.

Dr Priyambudi Sulistiyanto, Director of the Flinders Asia Centre, said the conference would attract not only specialists from Asian studies departments at universities across the world, but also academics from other disciplines who had a research interest in Asia, policy makers and business leaders.

“ICAS is the largest gathering of Asian, Asia-linked and Asian Studies scholars in the southern hemisphere and we’re thrilled to be a part of bringing together this significant international event,” Dr Sulistiyanto said.

This year’s conference will have a strong trade and investment focus, not just within Australasia but between the region and European Union. It will also offer delegates a series of regional Asian business updates featuring world experts on business, economics and free trade agreements.

Dr Sulistiyanto said ICAS9, to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, was not only unique in terms of size, but also because of inter-university collaboration to host the event.

Flinders School of International Studies also will host a series of postgraduate workshops at the City campus on July 5. These will range from practical aspects of undertaking a thesis and presentations on research by world-class libraries in Australia and abroad, to facing the challenges of working in conflict societies. Speakers will include Flinders academics, postgraduate students and world-renowned scholars.