ASEAN International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Programme


The ASEAN International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Programme is a regional student mobility initiative coordinated by SEAMEO RIHED, aimed at strengthening academic cooperation and people-to-people connectivity among higher education institutions in ASEAN and selected partner countries.
The programme originated in 2009 as the Malaysia–Indonesia–Thailand (M-I-T) Student Mobility Pilot Project and has since expanded significantly. As of 2025, AIMS involves participation from multiple ASEAN member states and partner countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The programme supports short-term, credit-bearing student mobility across a wide range of academic disciplines.


Host University Support


Under the AIMS Programme, the Host University generally provides:

  • Tuition fee waiver
  • Access to basic medical services (campus or in-house health centres)
  • Assistance in arranging student accommodation
  • Student support services such as buddy, tutoring, and counselling programmes


Financial support under the AIMS Programme is typically provided by the Home Government / Home University, subject to national policies and availability of funds. This support may include:

  • Monthly living allowance
  • International airfare (economy class, subject to approval)
  • Visa and insurance support
  • Other allowable mobility-related expenses, depending on the funding scheme


The type and amount of financial assistance may vary by country and institution.
The AIMS Programme continues to play an important role in advancing the internationalisation of higher education, enhancing student mobility, and fostering intercultural understanding across the region.
As of 2025, the AIMS Programme involves participating countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.


Participating Universities under the AIMS Programme


Malaysia

  • Universiti Malaya (UM)
  • Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  • Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
  • Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
  • Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
  • Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA)
  • Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
  • Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)

 

Indonesia

  • Universitas Indonesia (UI)
  • Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB)
  • Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)
  • Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB University)
  • Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR)
  • Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD)

 

Thailand

  • Chulalongkorn University
  • Thammasat University
  • Mahidol University
  • Kasetsart University
  • Chiang Mai University
  • Prince of Songkla University

 

Vietnam

  • Vietnam National University (Hanoi)
  • Vietnam National University (Ho Chi Minh City)
  • Hanoi University of Science and Technology
  • University of Danang
  • Can Tho University

 

Philippines

  • University of the Philippines (various campuses)
  • Ateneo de Manila University
  • De La Salle University
  • University of Santo Tomas

 

Brunei Darussalam

  • Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD)
  • Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB)

 

Japan

  • Hiroshima University
  • University of Tsukuba
  • Saga University
  • Shibaura Institute of Technology
  • Kanazawa University

 

Republic of Korea

  • Pusan National University
  • Kyungpook National University
  • Chonnam National University
  • Chungnam National University
  • Hankuk University of Foreign Studies