Institutional Support

Middle Eastern & South Asian Languages & Cultures

The Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures focuses on the deep historical ties between the many and varied cultures, religions, literatures, and languages of the Middle East (Afghanistan, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, United Arab Emirates), North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia), and South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka). 

Contracted Independent Organizations (CIOs)

• Middle Eastern Leadership Council
  • The Middle Eastern Leadership Council is a working group bringing together leaders of the different Middle Eastern student organizations on Grounds. Its goals are to facilitate communication and exchange ideas among the various organizations; to coordinate scheduling of events and activities; and to collaborate where possible on projects. The organization works not only to connect its member organizations, but to also connect them with the rest of the UVA community. 
    
    While MELC is currently inactive, there are several CIOs that are currently active. 
    • Middle Eastern North African Student Association (MENASA) 
    • Arab Student Organization (ASO) 
    • The Lebanese Club (LC at UVA) 
    • Persian Cultural Society (PCS) 
    • Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) 
    • Afghan Student Association (ASA) 
    • Armenian Cultural Student Association (ACSA) 
    • Iranian Student Association (IRSA) 
    • Egyptian Student Organization (ESO) 
    • Turkish Student Association at UVA 
    • Saudi Students at UVA (SSA)