The Center for Social Development Studies produces interdisciplinary critical research on innovative, inclusive and sustainable regional development in Southeast Asia.

The Department of International and Strategic Studies is alma mater to many of Malaysia's well known personalities and foreign dignitaries. The Department is also ranked as among the nation's top department in International Relations and Strategic Studies.

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is a CGIAR center focused on research for development to deliver new evidence-based approaches that address key water-related challenges. CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. IWMI is the lead center for the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE).

International Development and Globalization issues are of major importance in today's world. Nations impact on each other on many levels (economics, political, sociological) that shape everyday life all over the world.

USER carries out field research on the interactions between livelihoods, lifestyles and social institutions with the environment. This body of research tries to be critical and reflective while striving to listen to the needs and claims articulated by socially vulnerable groups.

The Center for Disaster Studies, University of Riau takes a broad approach to disaster management. The center is also the focal point for a new university outreach scheme that places recent graduates in rural communities to do outreach on issues related to fire and resource management.