About ICIS2020

ICIS2020 ICIS LOGO

ABOUT ICIS2020

Background

Post-Westphalian international system develops into an assumption that nation-state actors would have a defined role respecting each other’s sovereignty and rights. Yet, the self-help world environment compelled nation-states to compete in protecting their interest, power sources and security. The main objective of a nation-state is political survival. At the same time, these nation-states also face with security dilemma. Power states would embark expansionist policy to fortify their position, whereas the weak ones have no choice but to succumb to a more power one or by forming an alliance. Henceforth, states must brace with the ideas of either to compete or to cooperate. It has been the Realist paradigm of competition that prevails. Liberal perspectives calling for mutual understanding and cooperation appeared to gain little currency. The world then had to endure various systemic failures manifested by numerous conflicts and the two major world wars.

Questions, then remain, what would be the direction of our international systems? Where is the space of co-existence and cooperation when global actors especially major powers are beginning to consolidate their national interests and power position? Has globalization ended and another new cold war is in horizon? How global community could develop a strategic partnership to ensure a sustainable peace? It is envisaged that this 8th ICIS conference would address those issues.

Objective

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (ICIS) is a biennial conference aims to:

*Facilitate the exchange of ideas on contemporary issues in international studies and international business, specifically with regard to the main theme: Sustaining Global Strategic Partnership in the Age of Uncertainties.

*Generate public interest in the wide-ranging issues particularly on the matter concerning every aspect of both national and international communities;

*Provide broad networking opportunities between diverse stakeholders: individuals, businesses, NGOs, officials and policymakers;

*Facilitate the exchange of scholarly views and find practical approaches in debating these issues;

*Facilitate networking among institutions of higher learning in the region leading to the establishment regional centres of excellence in identified areas of studies;

*Produce scholarly publications on the issues related to the conference topics.

Theme

The main theme for ICIS 2020 is ‘SUSTAINING GLOBAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IN THE AGE OF UNCERTAINTIES'.

Conference Format

• Keynote Speech Sessions

• Specific Panel discussions addressing all the sub-themes

• Parallel Sessions (including virtual and poster presentations)

• Training Workshop

ICIS LOGO & IT'S MEANING

The International Conference on International Studies (ICIS) is proud to announce the unveiling of its new permanent logo as part of the on-going efforts of rebranding ICIS bi-annual conference organized by the School of International Studies (SoIS), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). The new logo incorporates a distinctive set of symbol, shape and color, and each signifies different meaning and connotation. The launching of the new ICIS logo also serves as a milestone for the Conference since its inception in 2005. It is a fervent hope that ICIS will evolve and progress towards becoming one of the prestigious international conferences in the field of International Studies.

Its design integrates the official logo of UUM, a premier public tertiary institution in the northern region of the country that aims to become ‘The Eminent Management University’ as its main identity.

The logo circular form represents the most basic identity of ICIS as a platform where academics, students, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners can get together to form a vibrant network of scholarship community and deliberate vital issues at the domestic and international levels.

The ICIS acronym represents the Malaysian identity, as both the colors and the silhouettes constitute the national flag of this country.

The integration of multicolored stripes in black, red, yellow and green in the logo represents diversity and internationalism. Three of these colors are the colors of the Kedah flag, the state where ICIS is originated from. More specifically, black represents strength and authority; green symbolizes nature, prosperity, freshness, and progress; yellow signifies warmth, exuberance, and positivity; red serves to accentuate energy, determination and passion. The green color is also essential as it represents the identity and tagline of UUM - ‘A University in a Green Forest’.