The Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations Graduate Students’ Association is the sole representative body of graduate students at the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto and a Course Union under the University of Toronto’s Graduate Student Union. Our purpose as a student association is to promote and maintain an inclusive social atmosphere of friendship, support, and unity. To this end we represent and advocate for the interests and wellbeing of its members to the Department, the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, the School of Graduate Studies, and the University in the spirit of cooperation and transparency; organize and sponsor an annual symposium and academic events in order to share research, develop professional skills, and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration; and  maintain a physical space and provide a digital platform to build community and encourage communication within the graduate student body.