The International Scholar Series features guest academics to speak on topical issues that are of particular concern to The Habibie Center. Held in a lecture seminar format, guest academics are invited to give keynote presentations which are usually responded by specially invited discussants. The event also features a Question and Answer session where a moderator facilitates a discussion between the speakers and the audience, made up of: Government officials; Foreign diplomats; Academicians, University students; Media; Research institutes; Businesses; Political observers; and NGOs/CSOs.

In the past, the International Scholar Series has featured academics from Australia, Europe, the United States, Malaysia, Thailand, Egypt, etc. to cover topics such as the Arab Spring, counter-terrorism, general elections and BRICS.