UPSK serves as a teaching and research institution. It has as its primary objective teaching and research on matters of national and regional security. At its inception, UPSK was the first institution in Malaysia to offer programs in the study of strategy and security.

Geographic Focus: Asia Pacific and South Asia

MIER was originally established to undertake independent and high-quality problem-oriented research on economic, financial and business issues facing the country. This goal has been stretched to cater for the research needs of countries outside Malaysia as well. In undertaking this task, MIER pursues the following objectives: serve as a focal point for economic, financial and business research for the nation as well as the region; undertake economic research projects commissioned by clients in the public and private sectors, both domestic and foreign; collaborate with other research institutes at home and abroad; publish and disseminate the results of its research work, and organise symposia and conferences to promote exchange of ideas and views; and provide occasional training for officials from government agencies and private-sector organisations.

MIER is conceived as a world-class thinktank, Malaysia's centre of excellence for independent research on economic issues for the country and its links in the region. It is committed to serve the government and private sectors as well as the public at large by providing an objective and impartial understanding of socio-economic issues of national, regional and global importance.

An autonomous and non-profit organisation, ISIS Malaysia is engaged in a wide range of activities focussing on objective and independent policy research and fostering dialogue and debate between the public sector, the private sector and academia. In general, its programmes are directed towards five central areas of national interest:

i. Defence, Security and Foreign Affairs;
ii. National and International Economic Affairs;
iii. Strategies for Nation-Building and National Unity;
iv. Policies on Energy and Natural Resources;
v. Science, Technology and Industry.