CAIS established a Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies in 2012. The degree has attracted a growing number of students particularly those who wish to take a language as part of their specialist study of the region.

Ms Emma Booth is the first student to graduate from ANU with a BMECAS. She will be one of the graduating students from the College of Arts and Social Sciences to be awarded her degree on Friday 20 December 2013. Emma gave us her impression of the degree as she was about to go off on a well deserved break:

"I enrolled in the Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asia Studies because of my interest in the Middle East, and because the degree offered me the opportunity to study a language as well as the history and politics that have shaped the region.

I am really happy with the degree. Prior to its release in 2012, I was doing all the same subjects under a BA. When it came up with the new degree options, I saw it as a fabulous way to continue my studies but in a more tailored manner. It provided a better structure under which to study the Middle East as well as Central Asia, and included my language courses as well.

The courses at CAIS provide an in-depth look at various aspects of the Middle East and Central Asia, covering diverse topics such as politics, history, religion and gender. I am hoping to find a position with the public service, or perhaps even working within one of the embassies here in Canberra. I'm very keen to keep up with my Arabic and to continue learning more.”