South Asia

Collaboration and teamwork are hallmarks of the Darden experience. Below are just a few examples of how experiential learning translates into meaningful opportunities to collaborate in teams with impact.

• Case methodology of instruction
• Area focus elective courses
• Industry focus elective courses
• Consulting Darden Business Projects
• Global Experiential Opportunities include Darden Worldwide Courses, Global Client Projects and Exchange Programs

Darden South Asia Society (DSAS)

The purpose of the Darden South Asia Society (DSAS) is to bring together members of the Darden community who are interested in business and cultural aspects of the South Asian geographical region. The club organizes seminars, speaker series, panels, recruiting events, admissions activities, cultural and sporting events distinctive to this region. DSAS also supports relevant events of the International Business Society and the International Advisory Board.

Asia Business Club at Darden (ABCD)

As one of the largest affinity clubs at Darden, the purpose of ABCD is to help members succeed at Darden by providing support in recruiting, social, and personal development. ABCD is dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion by promoting Asian culture in the Darden community and also supports admission events to recruit Asian prospective students.

Darden Student Association

The Darden Student Association (DSA) seeks to strengthen the fabric of the Darden Community; working to ensure that each student can realize their fullest Darden experience. The DSA represents Darden on the University Honor Committee, the University Judiciary Committee, the University Student Council, and the Graduate and Professional Council, and supports student groups including career clubs, affinity groups, and intramural sports. DSA seeks to represent all students of the residential MBA program.

Advisory Groups

Darden has several advisory groups which provide a forum for dialogue, feedback and proactive initiative throughout the year in effort to continuously improve the student experience through collaboration between faculty, staff and students.

Emerging Markets Conference

The Emerging Markets Conference is an annual entirely student-run event, co-hosted by multiple student organizations, including the Latin American Student Association, the Darden African Business Organization, the Asia Business Club @ Darden, the Darden South Asia Society, and the Adam Smith Society, among other groups. In 2024, the theme of the conference was "Social Pioneers Among Global Challengers: The ESG Agenda in Emerging Markets" and Darden welcomed speakers including, Krishnamurthy Subramanian, an executive director of the International Monetary Fund and former chief economic adviser to the prime minister of India and Manoj Sinha (MBA ’09), the cofounder and CEO of Husk Power Systems.

Asia Gala Night

Darden community members are welcomed each year to attend a cultural celebration of the Lunar New Year at the Asia Grand Gala. The event, hosted by the Asia Business Club at Darden, typically features delicious Asian food, performances, a freestyle dance floor, and a stunning runway to showcase Asian traditional outfits. Performances originated from all across various Asian countries.

UVA Darden Advisor in India

Meet Hemant Das, UVA Darden's principal advisor in India, based in Mumbai. Hemant works collaboratively across Darden, leading efforts to advance the School’s impact and engagement in India and the region. He leads efforts to build and strengthen relationships that advance the Darden brand and goals in India and South Asia, expanding on our ongoing efforts and engagement with this critical part of the world. 

Partner Institutions

Darden has partnerships with other top business schools around the world to foster exchange opportunities, collaborative academic programs, faculty engagement and research, and other activities. Schools based in the broader Asia region that partner with Darden include the Indian School of Business (ISB),  Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Seoul National University (SNU), China European International Business School (CEIBS) and Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Management and Commerce.

Alumni Networking and Faculty Visits

Darden faculty and senior leadership regularly take strategic visits to South Asia, recently including Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. From leadership in the Dean's Staff to tenured faculty like Ed Freeman, Darden shows up in the region for impact both on small and large scales. Opportunities to connect have ranged from coffee chats to case presentations led by faculty with a mix of alumni and prospective student audiences. Meeting with prospective students in-person and online is a key way to get to know more about the Darden School at a distance, and usually offers the opportunitiy to connect with local alumni.

Darden School Foundation

The Darden School Foundation, an independent and nonprofit organization established in 1952, offers merit-based scholarships. These scholarships support students from around the world, enabling them to excel at Darden as students and beyond.

Merit Scholarships

Darden has a robust portfolio of merit scholarships. Consideration for merit scholarships takes place during the admissions process after your complete application has been submitted. No additional application is required. A variety of metrics and factors including academic ability, professional and personal achievements and potential to contribute to the community are considered.

Company Sponsorship

Darden welcomes employer-sponsored students from all industries and backgrounds. When student is sponsored, it acknowledges the student’s leadership, the time commitment the program requires and — most importantly — the significant value that the MBA provides for student and stakeholder(s) alike. Many companies have sponsorship programs to send students abroad for a degree.