IKMAS was established on 1 April 1995. IKMAS has always focused on issues related to globalization and development studies. One of the major programmes is Globalization Studies propelled by scholars such as James Mittleman, Joan Nelson and Anthony Milner. The works of IKMAS Fellows such as the late Ishak Shari, Osman Rani, Ragayah Mat Zin, Tham Siew Yean, Norani Othman and Abdul Rahman Embong thrusted IKMAS as a centre of excellence for social sciences on globalization studies.

In 2013, IKMAS expanded with the addition of four study centre: Centre for Asian Studies, Centre for Occidental Studies, Centre for Latin American Studies and Centre for West Asian Studies. IKMAS developed the IKMAS Knowledge Platform with four pillars: Governance, Market, Society and Culture. The interdisciplinary and thematic approaches provide the tool for knowledge development at IKMAS.

By 2017, IKMAS developed the IKMAS Research Program for 2018-2022. Building on globalization studies and being well anchored with a Malaysian perspective, IKMAS embarked on a research program to connect oceans. The program pays attention to multiple forces affecting regional integration within Southeast Asia and at the dynamics of inter-regionalism. Firmly grounded in on the IKMAS Knowledge Platform of Market, Governance, Culture and Society and the three regions of focus, i.e. Asia, Occident, and Latin America, researchers are able to develop linkages between drivers and factors impacting integration, connectivity and inclusive development. Researchers can pursue fundamental, applied and translational research.