The Waseda University Islamic Area Studies Center (WIAS) acts as the central office for the Islamic Area Studies joint research network, overseeing and synthesizing the work of the IAS centers at the five member institutions in the network. We pursue four objectives to enhance our function as a joint research center.

1. Deepen our understanding of contemporary Islam and share our research results with other organizations through our Islamic Area Studies joint research network.
2. Provide next-generation international joint research facilities, overseen by the IAS central office at Waseda University.
3. Use solicited research topics to expand the range of domestic researchers in our network, and promote international collaboration with European, American, Middle Eastern, and Asian researchers.
4. Provide an administrative system that supports research work.

These are the four objectives commissioned by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), which formally accredited our organization as a 'Joint Usage/Research Center' in 2008.