The primary objectives of CAIS are fourfold:

•    to promote Arab, Islamic, Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies by providing quality educational programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels;
•    to conduct research of its own, and to coordinate broader research projects with  Australian and international academics and specialists;
•    to provide a pool of expertise for public and private sectors;
•    to strengthen Australia’s ties with the Middle Eastern and Central Asian domains through educational links, and engagement with government, business, diplomatic missions and the broader community.
 

What can I study?
The Centre offers Masters degrees, a Graduate Certificate and a Bachelor degree in Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies. It also offers individual undergratuate courses and postgraduate supervision (PhD and MPhil) on a wide range of topics, including Middle Eastern and Central Asian politics, history, political economy, international relations, Persian, Turkish and Arabic languages, literature and culture, and Islamic studies.