Singapore's leading university is pioneering research into the deep-rooted connections between Arabia and Asia, moving beyond traditional frameworks that focus on the Middle East and the West. Supported by Saudi businessman Muhammad Alagil, the university's Asia Research Institute established the Muhammad Alagil Chair in Arabia-Asia Studies in 2014, which explores centuries of trade, cultural, and political ties that have often been overlooked due to European colonial perspectives. The program investigates wide-ranging topics, including the spread of Islamic ideas, the formation of Arab diasporas, and the networks created by merchants and scholars across the Indian Ocean and Asia.

A key initiative is the digitization and preservation of manuscripts from Arab communities in regions such as Malabar, Makassar, and Hadramout, aiming to safeguard local histories that are at risk of being lost. By bringing together scholars and fostering new research, the chair is reshaping understanding of Arabia-Asia relations and highlighting the enduring impact of these connections on contemporary societies.