Since its founding in 1997, the FIU Asian Studies Program has grown into a thriving academic hub thanks to the vision of former President Modesto Maidique and Founding Director Dr. Steven Heine, along with the dedication of faculty, staff, administrators, and students. What began as a modest certificate program without language requirements has since expanded into a robust program centered on East Asian studies, offering Bachelor's and Master's degrees, advanced certificates, and a minor.
Under Dr. Heine’s leadership (1997-2024), the program’s growth has been sustained by internal support, external grants, and fundraising efforts. Key funding from the U.S. Department of Education (including Title VI), the Japan Foundation (through various grant projects such as Institutional Program Support and Center for Global Partnership), the National Endowment of the Humanities, the Freeman Foundation, and the Fu Foundation, among others, has helped establish faculty positions and develop curricula. In addition, scholarship endowments—such as those from the D&E Foundation, Omar K. Carrion, April Messersmith, and Morikami Museum—have been instrumental in supporting both undergraduate and graduate students.
Academically, we are proud to host the annual Southern Japan Seminar, which contributed to our peer-reviewed journal, Japan Studies Review, featuring academic articles, essays, and book reviews from international and national scholars, including our own Asian Studies alumni.
Beyond academics, the Asian Studies Program plays an active role in South Florida’s cultural and business communities through dynamic outreach initiatives. We host vibrant annual events such as the Lunar New Year celebration, Japan Immersion Day, and the Korean Language and Cultural Festival, which bring together students, scholars, and the public to celebrate Asia’s rich traditions.
Through lectures, workshops, cultural performances, and special events, we bridge academia and the broader community, fostering global dialogues between students and distinguished scholars in Asian Studies from East Asia, South Asia, Europe, and Latin America.