Buffalo State’s annual Southeast Asia week offers insight and global perspective

For more than a decade, Buffalo State University has celebrated Southeast Asia Week with free presentations that explore timely economic, social, cultural, and geopolitical topics. The 15th annual Southeast Asia Week returns March 16-19, offering an unparalleled opportunity for students, faculty, and the broader community to hear about groundbreaking experiences and gain deeper knowledge of the region. 

“It has been a remarkable 15 years for our campus,” said Vida Vanchan, director of Buffalo State’s Global Studies Institute and professor of geosciences, who founded the celebration in 2012 and remains its organizer. “Our campus is known and has become part of the SUNY/CUNY Southeast Asia Consortium and much larger national and global communities with this regional focus because of relentless efforts in organizing the Southeast Asia Week programs for all these years.”

This year’s theme, “Why Southeast Asia? Groundbreaking Experiences and Knowledge of the Region and Beyond” highlights critical issues shaping the region, with special focus on economic conditions, education, and impact of the digital era. 

The week’s opening program, “SUNY/CUNY SEAC 2026 Workshop and Field School Experiences in Vietnam and Cambodia,” centers on a funded effort wherein a faculty member and student from Buffalo State were selected from a competitive pool of applicants from universities across New York state to join the SUNY/CUNY SEAC 2026 Workshop and Field School in Vietnam and Cambodia. The program, funded by Henry Luce Foundation, brought together four undergraduate students, two graduate students, and two faculty members from across the SUNY and CUNY systems. An interdisciplinary team consisting of Vanchan and professors Michitake Aso (History, University at Albany, SUNY) and Peter Marcotullio (Geography and Environmental Science, Hunter College, CUNY) guided these participants on their research projects through an intensive academic experience spanning Vietnam and Cambodia from January 3–13 after participants’ completion of a one-credit cross SUNY/CUNY course on Sustainability and Climate Change in Southeast Asia in the fall of 2025.

SEA Week fosters deeper connections between Southeast Asia and the Western New York community through a combination of lectures, discussions, and exhibits. The complete lineup of talks taking place during the week is as follows: 

SUNY/CUNY SEAC 2026 Workshop and Field School Experiences in Vietnam and Cambodia
Introduction by Provost Amitra Wall
Speakers: Shashi Marlon Gayadeen, associate professor of criminal justice, Buffalo State University and Gabrielle Renee Hall, senior art and design major, Buffalo State University
Monday, March 16
3:00-4:15 p.m.
Technology Building 160

Discover and learn through the experiences of Professor Gayadeen and Gabrielle Hall who were selected from a competitive pool of applicants to join the SUNY/CUNY SEAC 2026 Workshop and Field School in Vietnam and Cambodia. 

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Economic Geography of Southeast Asia: Commodities Value Chains and International Trade
Speakers: Students enrolled in GEG 305: Principles of Economic Geography 
Tuesday, March 17
1:40-2:55 p.m.
Science and Mathematics Complex 115

This session underscores the critical role of economic geography in examining location and distribution of economic activities. Presentations of student research on staple commodities’ value chains from their origins in Southeast Asia to consumption and post consumption highlight the interconnectedness and complexity of economic flows and their impact on individuals, businesses, governments, trade and economies. 

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Cambodia’s Digital Transformation: A Journey & Way Forward  
Speaker: Vanlik Tan, Fulbright Scholar, graduate program in management information systems, University at Buffalo
Wednesday, March 18
12:15-1:30 p.m.
Science and Mathematics Complex 170

Cambodia is at a pivotal crossroads in diversifying its economy, with the digital economy emerging as a new engine of growth. Despite constraints and early-stage challenges, Cambodia has made notable progress in advancing its digital economy. This talk explores Cambodia’s digital transformation journey, highlighting key milestones, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.

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International Dialogue Exploring Comparative Education in the US and Southeast Asia 
Speakers: Education faculty and students from Royal University of Phnom Penh; human geography faculty and students from Buffalo State University
Thursday, March 19
9:25-10:40 a.m.
Science and Mathematics Complex 151 (in-person); virtual
Advance registration required.

This session aims to explore ways in understanding cultures and education systems in the United States and Southeast Asia, i.e. Cambodia through open and cross-country dialogue and communication. 

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All events are free and open to the public.

SEA Week is made possible by the generosity and support of sponsors and partners: Small Business Development Center, SUNY/CUNY Southeast Asia Consortium, Global Studies Institute, Department of Geosciences, Academic Affairs, and Institutional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Photo by Vida Vanchan.