www.soasworld.org SOAS

The magazine for alumni and friends Issue 43 – 2019

SOAS leads the debate SOAS Director co-leads on decolonising initiative to address the curriculum BAME attainment gap SOAS launches its first Alumnus Kelvin Cheung – degree programme combatting food, poverty outside the UK and social isolation

HRH The Duchess of Sussex and Dr. Sabaratnam from SOAS at the Duchess’ first official visit as Patron of ACU (Association of Commonwealth Universities). CC Jonathan Cole, ACU. Contents SOAS News 3 Features 9 Philanthropy 17 Alumni News & Events 23 SOAS Connect 31 In Memoriam 33 SOAS Book World 35

Welcome to the 2019 National Union of students go to university, come from issue of SOAS World. (NUS) co-led the project. schools or areas with low participation in higher education, I am writing this having recently As part of the data gathering or face other barriers to welcomed our new and process, we heard from UK accessing higher education. returning students to SOAS students, university staff and in late September. Welcome others with an interest in black Financial circumstances and Week always has such a buzz and minority ethnic issues. background should not prevent and this year we were happy to We learned a lot. From the anyone from accessing higher have 300 new Foundation Year students constantly having to education. Our student callers students, who I hope will be explain the realities of their have been busy raising funds this with us for the next four years. daily experiences, white staff summer - I am pleased to say It was a pleasure to welcome who were fearful about talking we reached £65,000. This fund Give back to SOAS them to campus and experience about race and racism because is so important, if you haven’t the atmosphere in the room. they did not want to say the already done so, you can donate wrong thing and BAME staff directly via makeagift.soas.ac.uk. “I grew up in the UK but I have limited leave to remain, which meant Our students have embarked on who often had to mentor and I couldn’t access student finance. There was no way I could have their academic journey as we support BAME students but SOAS is a university which continue to experience great did not receive any support or provides a distinctive academic afforded studying. When I found out I had been awarded a SOAS uncertainty across many parts recognition for the additional environment for staff and Sanctuary Scholarship to study MA Law, I called my mother in Nigeria of the world. As I write, here time required for this work. students. Global is in our DNA in the UK we are still unsure and SOAS occupies a special and she was ecstatic. My family are so proud of me and as we do in what will happen with respect At SOAS we have put in place a place in the world of higher Nigeria, now they call me “The Law”. Don’t ask me why we do that!” to Britain’s relationship to the strong set of recommendations education. We challenge, European Union. As a global, to address the BAME we question and we strive outward facing university, SOAS attainment gap at the School. to remain true to our values. Mariam Otaiku (LLM 2018) - Sanctuary Scholarship Recipient values its connection with As part of our commitment In the year ahead, we will countries across the world and to excellence we feel strongly continue to work to ensure the richness and diversity of that everyone should have an SOAS remains a distinct, diverse The support of the SOAS community - • Support students from BAME and low- our staff and student body. equal opportunity to succeed in and inclusive environment. alumni, students, staff and friends of the income backgrounds throughout their higher education. Universities School - helps widen access, increase studies, through outreach work and financial Last year I had the privilege are as much about delivering I hope you enjoy this issue. diversity and offer gifted students equal support. of co-leading on behalf of equality as they are about opportunities at SOAS. Universities UK (UUK) - the excellent scholarship and Valerie Amos • Help us preserve the SOAS Library’s rich national body representing knowledge transfer. They are collection of knowledge and culture for Your gift can: universities in the United places where opportunity and future generations, including digitising Kingdom - a project to look at aspiration come together. • Give students like Mariam an opportunity to our collection to make these resources ways of closing the Black, Asian access higher education. accessible to all. and minority ethnic (BAME) In addition, our SOAS attainment gap in universities. Opportunities Fund supports Visit www.soasworld.org/give-back Amatey Doku, Vice President talented students who may to find out more. for Higher Education at the be the first in their family to

1 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 2 On Campus

A round up of news and events SOAS News from SOAS in the last year.

(L-R) SOAS Director Baroness Valerie Amos, Lindsey Hilsum, His Highness Muhammad Sanusi II (CON) Sarkin Kano, Margaret Busby, SOAS President Graça Machel and Nursyahbani Katjasungkana SOAS honours world-renowned fi gures

SOAS awarded Honorary “You’re very fortunate to and human rights lawyer Degrees and Fellowships have studied at SOAS – this Nursyahbani Katjasungkana. to pioneering fi gures at the wonderfully multifaceted place and fought for and gained 2018 and 2019 graduations. that is steeped in diversity where Baroness Valerie Amos said: recognition for women’s rights di erence is normal, where “Our honorary awardees this in Indonesia. Their achievements In 2018, artist and social activist di erent people from di erent year are all remarkable people refl ect the values which are Forest Whitaker, international parts of the world converge to who have been pioneers and important to us at SOAS and fi lm curator June Givanni, learn, question and grow”. innovators and sought to bring I am delighted to welcome human rights activist Vrinda about change in the world. them to our community”. Grover, world-renowned author In 2019 SOAS honoured Their work has furthered the Dr Jung Chang and award- award-winning journalist, public’s understanding of You can watch the speeches winning novelist Chimamanda Lindsey Hilsum; anti- confl ict and humanitarian a airs; from our Honorary Ngozi Adichie, were awarded corruption campaigner, His demonstrated how to tackle high Fellows and Graduates Honorary Degrees. Highness Muhammad Sanusi level corruption in often complex on the SOAS YouTube Channel: II (CON), editor, broadcaster situations; paved the way for www.youtube.com/ Ms Adichie told SOAS graduates, and critic, Margaret Busby; greater diversity in publishing; user/soasuniversity

3 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 4 SOAS Director, Baroness Valerie Amos and Ngee Ann President, Mr Richard Lee, sign the agreement to deliver SOAS degrees in Singapore. Ngee Ann Academy Campus, Singapore

BSc Management enables students marketing, finance, international SOAS launches its first degree to become effective managers management, research methods, in a changing world, offering managerial economics, and strategy. programme outside the UK modules in international business BA International Management and strategy, organisational behaviour, South East Asian Studies prepares human resources management, students to work in management In February 2019, SOAS began of Adelaide, Australia) and is accounting, finance, managerial in South East Asia or elsewhere offering its first degree-level underpinned by Ngee Ann Kongsi, economics, marketing, corporate programme taught entirely a charitable body in Singapore. that requires knowledge of the outside of the UK. This NAA aims to be an exceptional governance, business ethics and region. The programme provides new partnership with Ngee The alignment of values institution for developing well corporate social responsibility. students with an excellent, broad Ann Academy in Singapore with SOAS and the rounded individuals who are foundational knowledge of offers three International committed to making positive BSc International Management focus that the Ngee international management systems Management undergraduate contributions to society. (Japan & Korea) provides students with Ann Academy gives to of South East Asia along with regional programmes, two of which “ skill sets and a grounding for careers focus on Japan and Korea and The partnership was announced cultural and political issues. education, particularly in Japanese and Korean organisations, South East Asian Studies. higher education, at a ceremony in Singapore in November 2018. SOAS Director, or those dealing with these countries. Students can opt to learn a specific SOAS has always been an are an enabler for Baroness Valerie Amos said: “The Students gain knowledge of South East Asian language to a level internationally focussed and social mobility.” alignment of values with SOAS Japanese and Korean management which will be of practical use when outward looking university. We and the focus that the Ngee Ann systems along with a broader set have successful relationships SOAS Director, Academy gives to education, communicating or working with a of disciplines including accounting, with many global institutions, Baroness Valerie Amos particularly higher education, are native speaker of that language. but until this year, we had an enabler for social mobility. not offered a degree-level Singapore as a country welcomes course taught entirely outside the UK. UK universities as a key and ongoing element of opportunity to spend a year Baroness Valerie Amos said In a competitive and its higher education system and that system is studying in another country, “We are proud of these international environment, our This new partnership brings SOAS together with the recognised globally for the quality of its education.” we see this as an opportunity programmes and very excited work with NAA is an excellent Ngee Ann Academy (NAA) in Singapore. NAA has to grow the international to see how our graduating starting point for future over 20 years experience of working successfully President of Ngee Ann Kongsi Richard Lee exposure of our students.” students will influence and international partnerships. in international partnerships (other partners said: “With more than forty percent of [SOAS’s] shape the world we live in.” For more information, please include King’s College London and the University undergraduate degree programmes offering the visit: www.naa.edu.sg/soas

5 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 6 SOAS staff and Alphawood Dr Hettie Elgood MBE, scholars celebrate at the Asian introduces her masterclass Baroness Valerie Amos, The SOAS Library Civilisations Museum in Singapore on ‘Alankara’ DirectorArundhati of Roy SOAS delivers a lecture at SOAS SOAS Library’s Celebrating four SOAS hosts first Valerie Amos to take up new new Director Masterclasses role at Oxford in Summer 2020 In January 2019, SOAS welcomed years of Alphawood in Singapore Oliver Urquhart Irvine as Director Our Director, Baroness Valerie us a distinctive place in the of Library and Learning Services. In April 2019, SOAS ran its Amos, will be stepping down at world academic community. He oversees the SOAS Library, Scholarships first Masterclasses on Asia, Art the end of the next academic one of just five National Research and the Transcultural at the year, after five years in the post. “Valerie has overseen significant Libraries in the country, hosting SOAS hosted its first graduation Asian Civilisations Museum and important changes at the world’s largest concentration event in Singapore to (ACM) in Singapore. University College Oxford SOAS, including reform of our of scholarly works on Asia, celebrate four years of the will be publicly announcing academic structures which Africa and the Middle East Masters and Postgraduate Over two days, delegates her appointment, starting in have brought our academic with over 1.5 million items in Diploma programmes in enjoyed an overview of the August 2020, as the new Master leaders into the heart of senior more than 400 languages. the Department of History Buddhist material culture of of the College, succeeding decision-making in the School. of Art and Archaeology. Angkor; the ways in which Professor Ivor Crewe. Oliver joined SOAS from his Buddhist objects are displayed “She has also been at the role as Librarian and Deputy Alphawood Scholarship in international museums; the Marie Staunton, Chair of the forefront of leading work, Keeper of the Queen’s Archives graduates reunited from origins of the Buddhist Mandala; SOAS Board of Trustees said: on behalf of Universities UK at Royal Collection Trust. He across the region at the Asian the keeping and collecting (UUK) and with National Union previously worked at the British Civilisations Museum where practices of lay Buddhists in “Valerie joined SOAS at a of Students (NUS), nationally Library for nine years including SOAS Director Baroness Valerie ‘pagoda museums’ in Myanmar; time of challenge for the on the Black Asian minority as Head of the Asian, Middle Amos welcomed guests. In heritage of the region she said: the art of Buddhist and Hindu School and with the senior ethnic (BAME) attainment Eastern and African Department. her speech, she highlighted “The impact you all have in networks in Myanmar; the leadership team, has taken gap. She is a strong voice on Oliver said: “The opportunity to the scholars’ range of work this field is extraordinary.” significance and function of strategic action to address the the importance of inclusion, lead a world-class library in a since their studies - in galleries, ‘alankara’ in jewelled ornament matter of SOAS’s sustainability diversity and equality in higher research and teaching intensive universities, government The South East Asian Art and embodiment of divinity through implementation education and more widely. organisation with a truly global and civil society. On helping Academic Programme was in Hindu India; the art and of the academic strategy, reach is hugely exciting.” to preserve the rich cultural established at SOAS in 2014 architecture of Maritime Asia; investment in new international “We will miss her greatly. through the generous and and the role of opium as a initiatives and improving visionary support of the commercial and social innovator the academic and overall “We aim to appoint to allow a The SOAS Library is one of the world’s Alphawood Foundation. Its in 19th century South East Asia. experience for our students. handover in July 2020 when most important academic libraries for mission is to support and there will also be time to reflect advance the understanding The Masterclasses were “At a challenging time for further on Valerie and SOAS’s the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle and preservation of South East delivered by leading experts higher education, through her successes since she joined Asian, Buddhist and Hindu from the School of Arts public engagements in the us in 2015. In the meantime, East. If you would like to support the art and architecture from and the School of Histories, UK and overseas, Valerie has I look forward to working Library, please visit ancient to pre-modern times. Religions and Philosophies. championed SOAS as a voice for with her and the Board of Alphawood Scholarships have SOAS hopes to build on this progressive Higher Education, Trustees to continue to deliver www.soasworld.org/donate been awarded to over 90 successful event with similar reaffirming SOAS values, giving our 2016-2020 strategy.” South East Asian scholars. international Masterclasses.

7 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 8 Features Features Decolonising the University: Beyond the Curriculum

Since 2017, SOAS has had a hostile national and international formal stated commitment broadcast and newspaper media, to ‘decolonising the we have also represented the university’, which explicitly campaign positively and on our includes action to address its own terms to a wider audience. curricula, pedagogies, student Many institutions, students and systems, research practices, staff have followed suit and Human Resources practices, begun their own campaigns international partnerships and and work across the country modes of public engagement in over the past couple of years. ways which recognise and seek to redress structural inequalities Within SOAS, we have been resulting from colonialism, involved in delivering training imperialism and racism. on Inclusive Teaching to SOAS Junior Common Room academic staff, which includes These commitments came unconscious bias training, in response to student So, what have we achieved, anti-racist teaching strategies, engagements going forward, and heritage of many peoples the decolonisation agenda raises campaigning, particularly where have we failed, and what decolonising the curriculum, because we believe that the around the world should impel if it is to be truly transformative. from the SOAS student group have we learned along the way? inclusion of disabled students university should work with us to think differently about Decolonising Our Minds and inclusive assessment and serve the communities in access, preservation, ownership, Yet, the very fact of having a Society, around the question The areas of learning and practices. We have rolled this which it is embedded and that cataloguing and how to use the decolonisation agenda allows of Eurocentric curricula and teaching have understandably out to about half of departments education is multi-faceted. physical spaces of the Library. us to cultivate an alternative forms of racism experienced by received the most attention in so far and we look forward We are looking forward to vision about what universities students of colour, as covered terms of our work so far, and to realising the benefits for In addition, we have started developing plans for how we can are for and what they should in the SOAS Students’ Union have been a top priority for both students and teachers conversations about research resource and realise these ideas. do. To imagine the future of report ‘Degrees of Racism’. They student leaders for a number of this work as follow-up practice and the colonial higher education through a of course build on a longer of years. To articulate what conversations and actions hierarchies that continue to However, the work we have ‘decolonising’ lens is to imagine history of anti-colonial and anti- ‘decolonising education’ might continue at a departmental level. animate funding structures, done so far falls short of a world where education is fully racist praxis within parts of the mean, the Working Group working habits with colleagues fully realising the vision that accessible, free, empowering institution over the past century. collaboratively produced a Beyond this, the group has and institutions in the Global we have set for ourselves. and reparative for marginalised document or ‘toolkit’ aimed at also taken forward a Public South, representation in Student and staff campaigners groups, locally accountable The Decolonising SOAS Working module and programme leaders, Engagement and Outreach publishing and research ethics. have continued to highlight and plural/diverse in its Group, set up in 2016, has had which articulates the problems scheme, supporting community Led by Dr Romina Istratii in the problems within our own offerings. Despite the deeply responsibility for co-ordinating with exclusionary syllabuses and activist groups doing Research Office, we will be institution, also present in others challenging conditions at a and leading much of this agenda and teaching practices and relevant work both materially and thinking creatively about how across the country, such as national and international over the past few years. Alongside suggests how these can be with our labour. In this, our first to ensure that our practices and inequalities in the treatment of level, our scholarship, archives, this there has been national changed. This is freely available year, we are supporting a range collaborations around research precariously-employed staff resources, staff and student attention to the racialised award on our website and has been of groups and projects working are egalitarian, respectful, who are disproportionately body make some progress a gap in degrees for undergraduate adopted/adapted by colleagues with migrants on social and reparative and accountable women of colour, experiences genuine possibility, if we can Home students – specifically around the world who are cultural activities, an archiving both internally and externally. of racism on campus and the do the work to realise it. the structural inequalities in looking for ways to ‘decolonise project for a radical Black institution’s relationships with outcomes between white the curriculum’. Through our publishing house in London, Finally, we are starting to imagine state and military institutions By Dr Meera Sabaratnam (Chair, students and students of networks such as the Association research into contraceptive what the campaign could implicated in colonial and Decolonising SOAS Working colour who enter university for Commonwealth Universities, choices for women of colour mean for the much-beloved imperial practices. It is Group) Department of Politics with the same secondary which has the Duchess of Sussex and support for African history SOAS Library. We think that necessary for us to confront and and International Studies qualifications – which has as its Patron (see front cover) walks in Yorkshire. We hope understanding the contents of address the more difficult and also informed our work. and engagement with an often to continue and deepen these SOAS Library as the knowledge uncomfortable questions that

9 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 10 and symbols, the relationships countries have largely failed to affect groundwater users. SOAS scholarship supports between those in the political deliver results. Violations of rules world and the everyday power are widespread in developing Professor Cullet was invited by struggles. She has developed countries, and individuals and the Planning Commission of a more complex approach organisations are violating India to chair the committee sustainable and strong to Parliamentary scholarship rules for different reasons. that drafted the Model Bill for by combining historical, the Conservation, Protection anthropological and feminist Standard approaches based on and Regulation of Groundwater institutions in the South methodologies and theories. transparency, accountability in 2011. This Bill included the Her research has deepened our and prosecutions do not need to regulate and control SOAS has been ranked third Gacaca courts are a hybrid research group of SOAS students understanding about MPs and work in contexts where many iniquitous groundwater use in the world in the Times traditional-modern justice who have successfully restored officials in Parliament both in different types of violations are and distribution; to ensure Higher Education University system which allow individuals the role of women from the Westminster and, more recently, simultaneously happening, often safe drinking water for all; to Impact Rankings for the elected by local populations Global South in securing gender in Bangladesh, Ethiopia and involving the majority of actors regulate groundwater extraction United Nations Sustainable to prosecute genocide cases equality in the UN Charter. Myanmar under her directorship in a sector. Prosecution-based to ensure its sustainability; and Development Goal “Peace, in open-air hearings before of the Global Research Network approaches usually fail in these to prevent the contamination Justice and Strong Institutions”. community members. Gacaca His book Human Rights After on Parliaments and People. contexts because support for of groundwater resources. encouraged everyday citizens to Hitler was a major contribution prosecutions by insiders is weak, Baroness Valerie Amos CH, provide eyewitness testimony, to the field and his work has Crewe’s engagement with or they target the wrong people, In 2015, the Government of former Undersecretary General including to detail the emotional revolutionised understanding Parliament has improved how it or focus on opposition figures. India asked a new committee for Humanitarian Affairs and and psychological impact of war crime prosecutions. He works. She has drawn attention (of which Professor Cullet was Emergency Relief Coordinator at of the genocide, in publicly has supported making war crime to the need to take more SOAS-ACE has developed also a member) for the Model the UN, said: “At SOAS we have accessible hearings held in archives publicly accessible evidence from scholars in the an innovative approach to Bill to be updated in response always known that our research the same locations where to legal practitioners and the Global South during inquiries that addressing problems at a to comments made by various and scholarship has tremendous crimes were committed. general public. Direct legal concern them. She co-designed sectoral level and identifying actors. Following further impact globally. But before now use of the material has been a new evaluation methodology opportunities where feasible comments by states and the there hasn’t been a systemic way In his more recent book Distant made in the war crimes court for reviewing services provided changes in policies will enable NITI Ayog (successor to the of recognising it. I am delighted Justice: The Impact of the in Cambodia and Chad. by the administration to MPs to a majority of stakeholders Planning Commission), a new that the depth and range of our International Criminal Court create a more efficient House. to engage in their business draft was completed in 2017. impact is finally being recognised. on African Politics, Dr. Clark He has been asked to present In late 2019 she is publishing or profession without We seek to ask and answer some criticises the poor standard of his research findings to the a book about the expenses engaging in corruption. of the challenging questions justice delivered by the ICC EU and UN, Netherlands scandal with a parliamentary If you would like to facing us as a world today.” and the under-recognised and UK governments official, to learn the lessons Identifying these opportunities read more about the achievements of national and and to the diplomatic from the crisis 10 years later. on the basis of evidence is Research undertaken by SOAS community-based accountability community in The Hague. essential to develop genuine work of the Research academics has supported positive mechanisms in Uganda, the Mushtaq Khan support for enforcement and Enterprise and lasting change around DRC and elsewhere in Africa. Dr Plesch’s research has shown Corruption is a without which effective anti- the world in a collaborative that international criminal justice serious challenge corruption strategies cannot Directorate, visit and decolonial model. Dr. Clark’s research has been can be swift, economical and fair. and major barrier emerge. The research will our website: used in court cases around the His research has offered practical to development inform policy and programming Phil Clark world (including the UK, US examples of how it has been in many countries. The SOAS in developing countries. www.soas.ac.uk/red Dr. Phil Clark has and Sweden). He has ensured possible to go after low level Anti-Corruption Evidence (ACE) criticised the role that genocide suspects are perpetrators of high-level war Consortium, headed by Professor Philippe Cullet of the International prosecuted in Rwanda by crimes in a manner to the highest Mushtaq Khan, has an innovative Professor Philippe Criminal Court Rwandans. This strengthens standards of fairness and justice approach to anti-corruption Cullet’s research (ICC) and other international domestic law in Rwanda, fosters under the restraints of world war. that is identifying effective, in water law and responses to mass violence, reconciliation and maintains evidence-based anti-corruption governance has following his research into stability in the Great Lakes region. Emma Crewe initiatives that are feasible had an impact in India, where domestic approaches to justice Professor Emma and likely to have significant a sizeable proportion of the in Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC. Dan Plesch Crewe was the developmental impacts. population do not have sufficient Dr Dan Plesch first to undertake access to drinking water. As In his book The Gacaca Courts, has researched ethnographic The DFID-funded research 80% of India’s drinking water Post-Genocide Justice and on several topics research in the UK Parliament in programme is investigating comes from groundwater, Reconciliation in Rwanda: Justice including the 1998 and has been researching Bangladesh, Tanzania and Professor Cullet argues that any without Lawyers he argues that, creation of the United Nations both Houses since then. Her Nigeria with a consortium of future reforms need to delink while Rwanda experiences a at the end of the Second World book The House of Commons: 12 international partners. access to groundwater from high degree of repression, the War, the Strategic Concept an anthropology of MPs’ work land rights. Crucially this needs country has made impressive for the Removal of Arms and shone a light on aspects of The research is motivated to be done in such a way that it strides in laying the foundations Proliferation (SCRAP) and Nazi politics that tend to be neglected by the fact that existing anti- avoids a more damaging form of for sustainable reconciliations. War Crimes. He recently led a or hidden, such as the rituals corruption efforts in developing privatisation that would adversely

11 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 12 Addressing the BAME attainment gap From left to right: Adesewa Esther Adebisi, University of Huddersfield student; Amatey Doku, NUS vice-president; Professor Quintin McKellar, CBE, University of Hertfordshire; Valerie Amos, Director of SOAS; Amna Atteeq, Students’ Union President, Aston Students’ Union; Maxine Llydia Thomas-Asante, incoming Co-President for Democracy and Education, SOAS Students’ Union; and Adwoa Darko, former Co-President of Activities and Events, SOAS Students’ Union.

Following Universities UK and the NUS’s universities: #ClosingtheGap Amatey Doku said: “Universities identified five necessary steps: have presided over significant report on ‘Black, Asian and minority ethnic gaps in attainment between student attainment at UK universities: • Providing strong leadership: BAME students and white The UK has some of University leaders and We need to understand students for far too long and #ClosingtheGap’, UUK together with the best universities senior managers need to the barriers to BAME I’m delighted that the sector has demonstrate a commitment to come together to chart a way in the world, but student success so SOAS University of London hosted a one- removing the BAME attainment forward with this timely report.” day conference in June 2019 to focus on what is the point of gap and lead by example. we can eliminate “that if we are not “these gaps. We must UUK is asking vice-chancellors next steps in making change happen. offering real equality • Conversations about race ensure that students and principals to sign a pledge and changing cultures: to work with students and use Baroness Valerie Amos said: for evidence from students of opportunity?” Universities and students need from all backgrounds the report’s recommendations “While many universities are and university staff to identify to create more opportunities can succeed.” within their institutions. Progress proactive on the issue, this best practice and to invite Baroness Valerie Amos to talk directly about race, will be evaluated in 2020. report and its recommendations BAME students (and staff) to racism and the attainment Baroness Valerie Amos aims to deliver transformation talk about their experiences. gap, and identify what in our sector. It is important Its aim was to identify gaps in students think is causing it. that universities act, and are understanding and practice, of black students. There is some transparent in their approach, and gather evidence about evidence that qualifications • Developing racially diverse gap to inform discussions so Black, Asian and minority current measures that have before university are a key factor and inclusive environments: between university leaders, ethnic students are given the best been put in place, whether in degree outcomes, but it does Universities need to ensure academics and students. chance of success. Inaction is they have achieved success, not explain the differences that BAME students have a not an option. Universities should and if not, what can be learnt. between ethnic groups. good sense of belonging, • Understanding what works: be places where opportunity and understand how a poor Universities can collectively and aspiration come together.” Between 2007 and 2017, there Following contributions from 99 sense of belonging might work to address gaps in the was an increase of over 50% universities and student unions, be contributing to low evidence base by using applied At many universities, staff in the number of BAME full- and 160 delegates at six regional levels of engagement. research to ensure evidence and students have worked on time undergraduates in the UK. evidence sessions, the report was on ‘what works’ is high quality, initiatives to address the issue However, while 81% of white published in May 2019 and has • Gathering the evidence and share evidence of what for some time, but progress students graduating in 2017 been at the centre of discussion and analysing the data: works and what doesn’t. has been inconsistent. The were awarded a first or a 2:1, during the conference. The Universities need to take a #ClosingtheGap project 71% of Asian students achieved report: Black, Asian and minority more scientific approach launched a nationwide call the same grades and only 57% ethnic student attainment at UK to tackling the attainment

13 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 14 advantage. I over-prepare. them a chance to present meeting try asking the person And this made me an effective to smaller group or to pre­ with a stammer beforehand lecturer, as well as having record their presentation. if there is a specific point to really focus on what my they want to make and give message was. Something There will always be them the space to make it. which other lecturers with shortcomings for all sorts of speech impediments have assessments. But teaching How can SOAS help its told me they do too. staff have to think it through students and staff to develop and try to mitigate those confidence (even for people What do you think are the issues. Especially with oral without any impediments?) effects of stammering on tests in languages. “Fluency” This year I’ve launched the a student at university? is marked in assessment – so Toastmasters Speechcraft There are definitely academic if a person with a stammer is project at SOAS. Toastmasters impacts – there is national speaking another language is an international organisation evidence that students feel they for an assessment, why that can help improve public can’t take certain programmes should their stammer be speaking skills. It can help you or modules because of oral a mark against them? overcome nervousness and assessment, or where students show you how to create and may not do as well on a give effective speeches through module because their stammer, its Speechcraft programme. wrongly, affects outcomes. I’m starting with students at I’d hate to think that that also the moment but hope to roll happens at SOAS. More than this out to staff in the future. that there is a social distance One of my first between people who stammer memories was when The British Stammering and those that don’t. We did a Association is online-based I was in primary focus group at SOAS last year and has lots of resources with students and the main school and a teacher and events for people. feedback was that stammering “ wanted someone Also anyone can join the affected both social interaction else to read out my Bloomsbury Stammering and academic outcomes – and Network. All these groups there is some new research poem in assembly, I are a way to get people with which links stammering to immediately thought stammers to meet and share having a negative influence – no that’s not right.” experience and resources. SOAS Pro Director on one’s mental health, and even a higher rate of suicide. Deborah Johnston What were the main takeaways from the What are the challenges Stammering Conference? addresses stammering of having a stammer What can universities We had 1.1K viewers on the in the workplace? do to support staff with live stream for the conference. There are many unanticipated speech impediments? 1% of the population have barriers to comfortably being Fluent people tend to give bad a stammer (approximately at universities in a workplace environment. advice such as “slow down” and 25,000 students) – the There is evidence that non- “take a breath” as these are the help is there but awareness stammerers wrongly perceive recommendations you might is not being raised. Earlier this year Pro Director What was your personal After completing my PhD I didn’t those with stammers as make to non-stammerers of Learning and Teaching, journey with stammering like? think I could be a lecturer. At being hesitant, uncertain or who have ‘normal’ disfluency. I’d like us to break out Professor Deborah Johnston, One of my first memories was secondary school, I thought I’d that they don’t know what However, these things don’t of the current situation addressed an audience when I was in primary school become a librarian, because I they are talking about. work for stammerers, who where students aren’t about stammering in higher and I had written a poem and a loved libraries and being in a have a physiological difference communicating their needs, education, sharing her teacher wanted someone else to quiet space where I didn’t have For the benefit of students in the brain, usually from academics aren’t asking and personal experience. read out my poem in assembly, I to talk to too many people. with a speech impairment: birth. What people can do so support is not happening. immediately thought – no that’s But because my work was in teaching staff need to know is make space. Give people not right. I’m not being extended policy-based research I had that those with stammers can time to make the input they Words by Angel Lambo the same rights as everyone else. to give presentations, present ask for reasonable adjustment. want. It is also important to I have the right to be heard. at conferences and this all This will include things like maintain eye contact to show helped develop my confidence. giving them more time for you’re engaged in what they In my mid-30s I realised that oral assessments or when are saying. Specifically, for my stammer gave me one doing a presentation, give staff, when you’re chairing a

15 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 16 Philanthropy Philanthropy

Dr Meera Sabaratnam speaking about SOAS supports talented students to go to university the rich archives of the SOAS Library

create an online resource of Celebrating the impact of material that can be opened SOAS Opportunities Fund up to students and researchers philanthropy and the support across the world. In doing so, we will preserve knowledge for Education has never been SOAS is committed to ensuring of the SOAS community the next generations and ensure more important in our ever- that students are supported that resources on Africa, Asia changing world. However in once they come to the School. In March 2019 SOAS held a the scholarship meant to her: and the Middle East are opened the current economic climate, As described on page 13 our ‘Celebration of Philanthropy’ “I have limited leave to remain up to people across the world.” it is difficult for many students For me, the Opportunities Director is co-leading a UK- event to honour the generosity which meant I couldn’t access to make the investment in Fund meant extra wide initiative to tackle the of the SOAS community and student finance and there was Guests enjoyed a film telling their future. Living costs and stability, it meant I BAME attainment gap in higher its impact on the lives of SOAS no way I could have afforded the heart-warming story of fees can deter otherwise education and the SOAS students and the School. studying. When I found out I had Carolyn Hayman, a SOAS brilliant students from taking could stay in supported Opportunities Fund supports been awarded the scholarship to alumna, who offered her up their place at university or “accommodation for students from low-income and Support for our Sanctuary study an LLM, I called my mother home to Sanctuary Scholar, completing their course. as long as I needed, it BAME backgrounds, who are Scholarships was truly inspiring. in Nigeria and she was ecstatic. Michelle Ezeuko. Carolyn and gave me access to a facing financial difficulties. Over 1,400 alumni, staff, students My family are so proud of me Michelle enjoyed living together Financial circumstances and network of friends and and friends joined together to and as we call law students and so much that Carolyn asked personal background should Our vision is for an inclusive, help displaced people at SOAS, legal practitioners in Nigeria, Michelle to stay with her as she not prevent someone from supporters, in all the outward-looking SOAS that raising over £350,000. Alumnus now they call me “The Law”. enters the second year of her having the same opportunities hecticness of student life promotes tolerance, equality and Ali Ghezelbash (MSc International Don’t ask me why we do that!” undergraduate degree. The video as everyone else. Last year, in London and not having understanding. Together, the Politics 2003) and his wife, was produced by alumna, Anna SOAS Director, Baroness my family for help.” SOAS community can help open Nadia, raised an amazing Dr Meera Sabaratnam, Senior Sowa of Chouette Film and can Valerie Amos set up the SOAS up opportunities for all students, £4,200 by asking friends and Lecturer in International be seen at the SOAS Alumni Opportunities Fund to provide Destiny Adeyemi regardless of their background. family to donate to Sanctuary Relations and Chair of the Channel on YouTube – search financial support to those Scholarships rather than give Decolonising SOAS Working for SOAS Sanctuary Scholarships: students in greatest need. To support the SOAS wedding gifts. Support for the Group (see pages 10-11), spoke Carolyn and Michelle’s story. family to go to university, Opportunities Fund and enable scholars wasn’t just financial. about the importance of SOAS The SOAS Opportunities Fund come from schools or areas talented students to access Three SOAS alumni opened Library’s rich archives and special To support Sanctuary supports talented students with low participation in higher higher education, please visit: up their homes to provide collections. She said: “We want Scholarships, make a gift, or find who may be the first in their education, or face other barriers accommodation to scholars. to preserve world knowledge out how you can support visit: to accessing higher education. makeagift.soas.ac.uk and culture at SOAS and by www.soasworld.org/give-back At the event, Sanctuary Scholar digitising and preserving our Mariam Otaiku spoke about what collections, we will be able to

17 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 18 Meet the 2017-2018 John Loiello AFSOAS Scholar

Scholarships are vital to helping us achieve our mission, enabling the best students from around the world to pursue studies at SOAS without barriers of fi nance or Baroness Valerie Amos thanks personal circumstances. Margaret Busby for her support If you live in the US and would like to support the John Loiello Margaret Busby said: “This is Margaret Busby “New a truly empowering moment Scholarship, or any and I hope we can build on it other project mentioned Daughters of Africa” Award in a way that will be a lasting throughout this inspiration and a pointer towards magazine, please visit: what becomes possible through To mark the release of writer imaginative collaboration.” Sherin Nassar, MA www.chapel- and broadcaster Margaret Development Studies yorkfoundation.org/ Busby’s anthology, ‘New Candida Lacey, Publishing donate-to-soas Daughters of Africa’, a £20,000 Director of Myriad, said: “We award will be created for black It is a thrill and a are so proud to be publishing female students who live in pleasure to be able to Margaret Busby’s new landmark The John Loiello Scholarship maybe from all the anxiety I These issues are incredibly Africa to study at SOAS. anthology. In addition to fund is now in its sixth year, had going to a predominantly apparent in contexts like Egypt shine a light on the celebrating the literary o ering up to $30,000 towards white institution for undergrad where many of the young people In 1992, Myriad Publishing remarkable creativity of excellence, diversity and shared a one year Masters at SOAS or having all these unspoken who participated in the Egyptian produced ‘Daughters of “each and every writer heritage of women of African for a US citizen or permanent emotions about race and revolution, some of the most Africa’ edited and introduced gathered in the pages descent, Margaret always wanted resident. We are delighted to realising for the fi rst time I was infl uential and smart people by Margaret Busby OBE. It New Daughters of Africa to make share Sherin Nassar’s story in a space where people just that exist today, are imprisoned. featured literary works by of New Daughters of a real di erence to women’s from her time at SOAS. Sherin got it – and that was a really These people are critical to over 200 women from Africa Africa. They must all lives. Thanks to the generosity was awarded a John Loiello beautiful moment. It spoke to promoting a better world and and the African diaspora. On take credit for their of the 200-plus contributors, Scholarship in 2017 to study a what my experience over the last I want to help protect them publication, it was hailed as every one of whom has waived Masters in Development Studies. few months at SOAS has been and their rights to change. ground-breaking, shining a part in enabling the their usual fees, we were – incredibly comfortable, as if I light on the “silent, forgotten, very special legacy that able to explore many worthy “My favourite memory at always was meant to be here. My time at SOAS will have a underrated voices of black is this SOAS award.” causes. SOAS, with its unrivalled SOAS was one of the fi rst lasting impact on my life. SOAS women” (The Washington Post). reputation for championing nights after class sitting in the I want to use my education to gave me the opportunity to be Margaret Busby international understanding, JCR listening to an Afrobeats make real change in the world. surrounded with like-minded In March 2019, “New Daughters recognition and awareness of band play the drums. The I want to fi ght for the rights of individuals who challenge your of Africa” was launched at African literature, shared our vibe of the night spoke to the the people – it sounds clichéd, conceptions, force you to SOAS. It features a further 200 The award has been created vision and leads the movement heart of what SOAS was as but the world is rapidly changing acknowledge your own lack works by women writers of (from fee waivers and a among universities to decolonise an institution: a place where and diversity is becoming of awareness, critically engage African descent from across proportion of the royalties) to the curriculum. We couldn’t have people from so many di erent something that is scorned. with what you learn in class the world. Contributors include help a black female student living hoped for a better partner.” cultures and backgrounds through real world experience, acclaimed authors such as in Africa to study at SOAS. The could come together and With that, we are seeing more and own up to how you can Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie award contributes to tuition fees We are grateful to Margaret feel welcome in a space. and more people losing their e ectively challenge a system and Zadie Smith, along with and living costs, and thanks to Busby (now an honorary rights to education, health, that many conform to.” Warsan Shire, Malorie Blackman, International Students House, will fellow of SOAS), to Myriad, The JCR itself that night was access to critical resources, Patience Agbabi, Roxanne also provide accommodation. and to International Students calm, relaxed and served as such as water, and even the Following her Masters at SOAS, Gay, Bernadine Evaristo, and House for their generosity. a place for everyone to just rights to politically engage Sherin was accepted into the contributions from new talent. enjoy the moment. I remember with their political systems. Harvard Law School to pursue exhaling in that moment – a degree in International Law.

19 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 20 The burning of the Sanjō Palace, from the Heiji Monogatari Members of The Fair Justice Initiative handing out packages (Tale of the Heiji insurrection), Japan, 17th Century. Comprising to female inmates in Ghana. Credit: Lightville Photography 12 stitch-bound manuscripts. Ref: MS 41853. © SOAS

James (right) at Blythe House, part of The Crowdfunding Victoria and Albert Asian Art Scholarship Museum Archive, looking The SOAS Crowdfunding at Himalayan Bronzes. Platform is designed to foster student ideas which will have a positive impact on the lives The Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art at SOAS of their fellow students, the provides a unique object-led study of the arts of Asia. Hallett, our fi rst Dr Hettie School, the wider community It combines a concentrated survey of Asian art with a Elgood Scholar to SOAS. James and around the world. completed his BA History of practical approach to the study of objects. Lectures Art at SOAS in 2017, after being Since its launch, we are proud are given by leading experts on India, China, South inspired by a trip he made to that students, sta , alumni East Asia, Japan and Korea, Buddhist Art, and the Japan. After graduating, James and friends have raised over Islamic world. This combination of the theoretical was intent on fi nding a way to £130,000 to support various and practical study makes the Postgraduate Diploma continue studying in this fi eld. initiatives, including: a unique programme. For more information, “I’d like to thank everybody who The Helen Kanitkar Library visit: www.soas.ac.uk/art/programmes/dipasart supported the scholarship, and to Dr Helen Kanitkar was a those who continue to support Lecturer in the Department of People for Prisoners Society Solar SOAS Hettie Elgood Scholars. Without Anthropology at SOAS. When The People for Prisoners Society Through support from the SOAS In 2018, two alumnae of the support a student who would this opportunity I would never she sadly passed away in 2001, ran a campaign to provide SU and crowdfunding, 114 solar Postgraduate Diploma in not otherwise be able to a ord have been able to continue with her husband Hemant funded care packages containing panels were fi tted on the roof Asian Art, Gretchen Welch this wonderful course.” my studies. I believe working- the refurbishment of the basic necessities for female of SOAS College Buildings - the and Ida Chow, honoured their class people really have a wealth departmental library that Helen inmates at Nsawam Medium fi rst community energy project teacher and friend, Dr Hettie The scholarships were created of experience and insight to o er loved so much, and donated 800 Security Prison - Ghana’s to install crowdfunded solar Elgood MBE, by setting up a with the hope that the successful to the fi eld of Art History, and the of her books. It was reopened largest prison facility. They panels at a UK university. The scholarship in her name. scholar would eventually arts world more generally – not as the Helen Kanitkar Library partnered with The Fair Justice electricity generated is used contribute to the course by just as artists themselves, but as and Research Centre (HKL). Initiative, a local NGO based in on-site and excess sold to the Dr Elgood is the Course Director lecturing or tutoring in the future, scholars. I’m so grateful that I’m Ghana, which seeks to combat national grid, generating £1,000 of the Postgraduate Diploma and by promoting the study of here today and am excited to use The Library is a place for discrimination against current a year for the Green Community in Asian Art. Gretchen and Ida Asian Art. The course has proved this opportunity to encourage writing and research, group and former inmates, ensure Fund, which provides felt passionately that others a pathway into successful careers more people like me to engage and individual study, and equal access to e ective legal fi nancial support to social and should have the opportunity in the art world, alumni from with the world of Asian art.” peer advice and support. It representation, and to improve environmental projects at SOAS. to learn under her guidance, the course work in museums, encourages friendship and conditions in Ghanaian prisons. so founded the scholarship to auction houses and galleries SOAS is grateful to everyone creativity across the department, cover the full costs of tuition and across the world, as well as who supports the Dr Hettie establishing connections living expenses for the course. going on to further studies in Elgood Scholarship and is between students. The Library For more information about the SOAS History of Art and Archaeology. indebted to Gretchen and Ida largely depends on student Crowdfunding platform, and to support any of the “We have both been fortunate for making this a reality. We volunteers and sta support, initiatives, please visit: www.soas.hubbub.net enough to learn under her In September 2018, we were look forward to welcoming our and crowdfunding has covered guidance and would like to delighted to welcome James 2019-20 scholar in September. the costs of a student librarian.

21 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 22 Alumni News & Events Alumni News & Events

Round up of alumni events

Our sta and alumni have had a busy year organising Hong Kong events far and wide – check them out below! Chinese New Year Spring Dinner In February 2019, the SOAS Hong Kong Alumni Association held their annual spring dinner. UAE Members old and new from the USA Smithsonian National Museum Pot Luck Picnic in Dubai SOAS alumni community came Kapoor Galleries (New York) of African Art (Washington DC) In March 2019, Aishwarya China together to enjoy traditional In September 2018, SOAS In September 2019, the Centre UK Singh Kapoor (SOAS Alumni British University Pub Quiz Chinese dishes and an interactive alumni braved the UN General of African Studies at SOAS, in ArtBreath X SOAS: Art and Ambassador in Dubai) and Harris Summer 2018 saw the session with Kelvin Cheung Assembly week tra c and partnership with the Smithsonian Human Rights (London) Laspas (Alumni Engagement fi rst British University Pub (see page 29). Thank you to torrential rain to attend a National Museum of African Art, In January 2019, SOAS alumna Manager) hosted a pot- Quiz organised by the Ms Gloria Ho, and Mr Ilex Lam, gathering at Kapoor Galleries. hosted a very special event in and ArtBreath founder, Nour luck picnic in the Al Barsha SOAS Alumni Association Chairman of the Association. As well as a private tour of the Washington DC - “Navigating Saleh and the SOAS alumni Pond Park. Alumni and their Beijing, hosted at the British galleries, the event highlighted Change in African Art”. team hosted a panel discussion families had a chance to get Embassy. Over 10 di— erent plans to send two scholars on the potential art can have in to know each other and talk university teams joined the from Ghana to attend a training Museum Director, SOAS alumnus highlighting and protesting for about all things SOAS. quiz and fi ttingly, the SOAS Japan programme at the Endangered and Honorary Fellow, Dr. Gus Human Rights. We were joined team swept to victory. Pints with the Professor Languages Documentation Casely-Hayford engaged by Professor Stephen Hopgood, In March 2019, SOAS Alumni Programme at SOAS in 2019. philosopher, cultural theorist and Professor Charles Tripp and artist India in Japan (SAIJ) had a casual novelist Kwame Anthony Appiah Bob and Roberta Smith, who Pastries with the Prof gathering with Lutz Marten, in a rich conversation about the shared their experiences on how In March 2019, Professor Ed Professor of General and role and changing landscape of art can be used to challenge Simpson (Director of the SOAS African Linguistics, and Silicon Valley African African art in the world today. the status quo and promote South Asia Institute) hosted William Hetherington, Head Film Festival freedom of expression, and the an alumni meet-up in Kolkata, Singapore of Foundation Programmes, In October 2018, SOAS alumnus, Centre of African Studies importance of arts in education. after delivering a series of public SOAS Alumni Celebration Dinner IFCELS. They were joined by Federico Olivieri (MA Global Manager Angelica Baschiera, lectures on infrastructure and In April 2019, SOAS hosted a alumni from other colleges of Media and Post-National SOAS Trustee Nizam Uddin, post-disaster rebuilding in India. celebration dinner at the Cricket the University of London, making Communication 2009) hosted and fi ve members of the Board A huge thank you to Nayantara Club for alumni from Singapore for a diverse get together. the annual Silicon Valley African of Directors of the American Palchoudhuri, SOAS Alumni and South East Asia. The evening Film Festival (SVAFF). Federico Friends of SOAS were on- Ambassador in Kolkata for all her opened with welcoming remarks has helped to organise the hand to welcome guests. e— orts in organising the event. from SOAS Director, Baroness festival since moving to the San Valerie Amos and SOAS alumnus, Francisco Bay Area in 2017. This is the fi rst event in a series Randall Ong. Special thanks to of collaborative events between our alumni in Singapore who Talking about his experiences, SOAS & the Smithsonian We are very grateful helped to organise the dinner- Federico said: “For me, it is National Museum of African to all of our alumni Randall Ong, Ingrid Hanson, events like these that have always Art planned for the next two ambassadors who have Pei-Yi Yu and Maniza Jumabhoy made African screen media so years. Early 2020 will see Gus and everyone who attended. fascinating and demonstrate come to speak at SOAS. helped to organise why their promotion is necessary events across the for a better understanding of world. If you would our interconnected realities. like to become an Would you like to This is exactly what brought alumni ambassador, organise an alumni event me to study at SOAS in the in your city? If so, let us fi rst place, and what keeps me or be connected with committed to fostering cultural one in your local area, know and we can help initiatives that can make a drop us an email at: to send out invitations di— erence in the way that we [email protected] and promote it. relate to our ‘global village’.”

23 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 24 Alumni in the news We are proud of the achievements of our alumni across the world. Read more about their stories below.

Poppy Ajudha with the celebrated saxophone Noha Aboueldahab player Nubya Garcia Adam Matan

SOAS alumna awarded SOAS alumna crowned “Best SOAS graduate on the Queen’s the British Council Soul Act of the Year” New Year’s Honours List Global Alumni Award Poppy Ajudha (BA in Social This year, Adam Matan received On 15 October Alumna Anthropology and Music 2017), an OBE for his services to the Noha Aboueldahab, winner has won the Jazz FM 2019 award Somali Community in London. of the British Council Global for ‘Best Soul Act of the Year’. Adam is the founder of the Alumni Award for Professional Anti-Tribalism Movement, a Achievement was invited as guest Hosted by Chris Philips and non-profit organisation based speaker in a panel discussion Jez Nelson, and coinciding in London that tackles tribalism event with Dr Gina Heathcote with UNESCO’s International and inequalities amongst of the Law Department. Noha Jazz Day, the ceremony communities. “It is an honour was selected by the British took place at Shoreditch to be awarded an OBE for the Council for her work on Town Hall in East London, work I love doing on a daily basis. transitional justice and human honouring a diverse list of This recognition has given me rights in the Arab region at artists ranging from established a further boost to ensure the various NGOs, UN agencies, jazz musicians through to the most marginalised members academic institutions and next generation vanguards. of society are supported.” think-tanks, as well as research and policy work; contributions Jazz FM said: “The vibrancy Adam did a Postgraduate to international media outlets; of the UK’s thriving young Diploma in Law and Community and for the recent publication jazz scene was once again Leadership in 2017. “Studying of her book, Transitional a key theme throughout the at SOAS helped me to Justice and the Prosecution night, with 23-year-old Poppy understand the laws that of Political Leaders in the Ajudha reigning supreme.” affect my community and Arab Region: A Comparative develop my leadership skills. I Study of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia In an interview with SOAS in loved participating in debates and Yemen (Hart:2017). 2017, Poppy said: “My degree and having my preconceived completely changed the ideas challenged by fellow Talking about the impact SOAS way I think about the world students and professors. Fun, had on her career, Noha said: and therefore the way I write adverse and stimulating – that’s “SOAS grounded my ideas about music and what I write about how I remember SOAS!” international law and human has been politicised in new rights by complicating them, ways. Anthropology was challenging them, and ultimately central in this and every year If you have some turning them upside down. This I felt newly inspired by the special news to share, has – and continues to have – lecturers we were assigned.” please email us at: a significant impact on how I approach some of the world’s [email protected] problems through my work.”

25 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 26 Alumni in the spotlight Alumni in the spotlight

Communications, evasion. I turned it into a comic What do you do now and how new role, finishing the animation because I learnt so much in has SOAS influenced your work? video, and doing more work with comics and those four months of research, I’ve just started a new role at a The Tax Justice Network - I was and I wanted to find a way to communications agency which invited to present my research at tax evasion reduce it down and make it fun, works for clients that have good their annual conference in July! Saskia Kekvliet is a Senior engaging, and more digestible causes at their heart. I feel really Account Executive at 89up, a for the wider public. The Nib lucky to have this opportunity In the more distant future, I want progressive communications publishes political satire and I to learn more about how to to take my academic learning agency. She recently completed found the artist, Erlend Sandøy, build communications strategies with me out into the real world. her MSc in International Politics through a comic he had done to amplify good projects and Ideally I see myself fusing my at SOAS, and has gone on to on the relationship between ideas, and spark wider public expertise on communications turn her dissertation on tax the US and Saudi Arabia. debate and activism around with my passion for politics. into a comic and present her important issues. While I’m Most importantly, I’d like to paper at the 2019 Tax Justice I wanted to get the conversation doing this work, I often get play a part in helping to address Network Conference. We spoke going on how to reform global flashbacks to things I learnt the structural inequality of to Saskia about her time at tax governance, because it’s during my MSc at SOAS and use power and wealth that we now SOAS and plans for the future. so messed up and we need a this as inspiration for research. have. I think that my time at really big change, but people SOAS was hugely enriching You worked in communications don’t really understand the Where do you see yourself in and I will probably look back for a few years before returning crux of the problem, so I was five years’ time, and how will on it in five years’ time as to university. What made you trying to raise more awareness your degree from SOAS help something that really helped decide to go back to studying, about what’s really going you to achieve your goals? push me in the right direction. and why did you choose SOAS? wrong. I’m currently working In the immediate future I’ll focus It was hard making the choice on turning it into an animation on building more experience in to leave work and go back into and am looking for funding! communications through my education: in Taiwan I had a really nice quality of life and great friends, but my career wasn’t quite on the right track. Social awareness, I’ve always been a very political What I enjoyed most about the theories to be able to understand person and I got tired of erasing course was that it opened up and critically assess things. I innovation and that part of me in my work. a whole new set of questions. feel I’m a lot less afraid now to I enrolled at SOAS because I In recent years there’s been articulate views that are more entrepreneurship wanted to guide my career into so little true debate about the radical and more challenging. a path that’s more in sync with basic principles about how we – and coffee what I actually think and read understand the economy, but Also, everyone in SOAS is very Meet Kelvin Cheung, social about every day. I chose SOAS there’s a movement now that’s political in their own different innovator and entrepreneur specifically because I knew that beginning to challenge this, and ways and spark all sorts of ideas who launched FoodCycle, it had a reputation for being now even some of the most off of each other. Everyone’s a charity combating food more radical and critical. basic questions are up for debate. got an interesting perspective poverty and social isolation, and even if you might not quite now bringing sustainability What did you enjoy most In what ways has your agree sometimes, the debate to the public sector. about the course? experience in SOAS is quite open and frank. I had a very different background changed you? What have you done Kelvin Cheung so I enjoyed going through I’ve got the knowledge and Let’s talk about your dissertation. since SOAS? all the different frameworks confidence to explain how I How did you pick the topic, After SOAS, I spent six years in and schools of thought in understand what’s going on why did you decide to turn it London, first starting as an intern my core modules. I was also in the world, and I know I’m into a comic, and what did you at various non-profits and then which provides grant funding Why did you choose to do lucky to study Economics not the only one who sees it hope to achieve by doing so? starting and running FoodCycle to social entrepreneurs, and an MSc in International from a very critical perspective like that - there are plenty of It all kicked off about five years for five years before I moved then for the past four years or Development at SOAS? getting an insight into schools academics who are on the same ago when I watched two TED back to Hong Kong. There I so I’ve been heading up Good SOAS has a long history of of thought like Marxism and page! My experience here has talks by one of the heads of started UnLtd, a sister charity Lab, a public sector social international development Keynesianism that challenge pushed me in the right direction Global Witness, Charmian of a foundation in the UK, innovation consultancy here. and the MSc seemed like a the mainstream orthodoxy. and given me the tools and Gooch, and I got interested in tax great degree to obtain for

27 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 28 ‘do-gooders’ to get the prep would have never expected Finding my voice What was it about SOAS required to, well, do good! the mainstream restaurants that attracted you here? to have any vegetarian At the age of two Sulaiman I did my BSc in Economics at What is the average day menus, but it’s changing! Addonia fled war-torn Eritrea UCL, so I often came to the like for a social innovator with his mother and siblings SOAS Library, and whenever and entrepreneur? What have been the biggest to seek refuge in Sudan. For I did, I went to the bar for I don’t know what to expect! hurdles when working as eight years, Sulaiman and a drink. I loved the energy Some days it’s a lot of meetings an entrepreneur and how his family moved between that was transmitted there. It here and there, but to be have you overcome them? refugee camps and at the age seemed to me a place laced honest, it’s just like every other As a young person straight out of 10, he went to Saudi Arabia with free spirit, comradery. It job, on the computer replying of school, I think the main thing to join his mother, who had was a place of intellect too. to emails, sending emails and is understanding that when migrated there six years prior. At the time, I felt it would be a on PowerPoint. It’s not the starting something new, it’ll perfect next step for my career. task, but how much you love take a lot of time and a lot of It was there that he discovered your job, and I love my job! ‘noes’ or questions before you his love for literature. He What did you enjoy get anywhere. Persistence is achieved excellent school most about your MA in You founded FoodCycle in the key. I was fortunate to have grades and moved to London Development Studies? 2008 and currently support some very good entrepreneur aged 15 to live with relatives. In truth, I had mixed feelings several charities in advisory friends around me to advise Unable to speak English, he about the course. Almost all positions. Can you share the me and keep my spirits high. immersed himself in London, lecturers were white and male. importance of working with received his citizenship in 2000 So looking back, the perspectives more social awareness? What did you enjoy about and a year later he embarked I was taught certainly lacked Almost all of the biggest issues your course at SOAS? upon his SOAS adventure. Now Sulaiman Addonia Photo by Lyse Ishimwe width as a result. I know it in the future are social issues. I gotta be honest, I think I spent a a published novelist living in would have been far richer had An ageing population, housing, little too much time in the library Brussels, we caught up with representation been broader. education and youth prospects. reading and studying. I wished I Sulaiman to hear more about appreciate just how many of us Can you tell us more But having said that, Professor Social awareness when framed took part in more extracurricular his work, life after SOAS, and are connected to each other about the creative writing Henry Bernstein’s classes were in the right way, is just new activities and clubs and engaged what writing means to him. by words and love for stories. academy you have set up? very enjoyable. He gave us the business opportunities. I would with more people from all around Literature is truly a universe full I know how lonely it is to be an space to debate fiercely but say that my involvement in social the world. I loved the discussions Congratulations on the recent of beauty and complexity. immigrant, as you are shunned with respect for each other. In awareness just allows me to in the bar after a tutorial class, publication of your second novel by society. If I would have had doing so, we gained nuance see the many entrepreneurial and just the people you meet. – ‘Silence is my Mother Tongue’ The reality of growing up in the space to create and use and acquired the knowledge opportunities out there that I would never have gotten – in October 2018. Where do refugee camps is something my imagination in the years to see and appreciate the are waiting to be realised. that in Canada. The different you take inspiration for writing? many of us will never following my arrival to the UK, complexity of issues. cultures, and the appreciation My life story. All the moving understand. Has writing it would have made a world of In 2019, what should companies of each other’s viewpoints is from one country to another helped you to deal with the difference to me. But I also know What was your most be doing to tackle social and something I find very unique from such a young age, and torment and tragedy you how vital and empowering it memorable SOAS story? environmental challenges? about the SOAS experience. in the process encountering experienced as a child? was for me to, years later, own Falling in love with a woman Every company will be impacted different people, cultures and For me, writing is not catharsis. my voice rather than being carrying books as we crossed by social and environmental Your work is focused in languages, led me to gather Actually writing can be a subject of someone else’s story. paths on the stairs of SOAS. challenges, so I would say that Hong Kong and London, interesting observations, ideas, difficult undertaking. But there Being a refugee should not Though I tease her that I had every company needs to put what are your favourite parts and experiences. Inspiration is also beauty that comes with mean surrendering your voice. actually fallen in love with this as the core of their business. of both of these cities? also comes from reading, conceiving ideas, exploring That’s what motivated me to the books stacked up in her Think long term about how Good coffee, food, and history. listening, loving, and dancing. truth, trying to understand the set up this course. It was my arms all the way to her chin. they can bring about shifts Preferred mode of transport is world through your characters’ way of saying: no need for a in consumer behaviour. For the bicycle and best enjoyed ‘The Consequences of Love’ eyes. Having said that, writing voice for the voiceless, we all Finally, in your opinion, example, in Hong Kong, the with friends! Where all this has been translated into gave me an identity. Being have our own voice and we which book should everyone company Green Monday has intersects in London is at this more than 20 languages exiled from the age of two and all are capable of representing have on their bookshelf? been advising many of the little French Pastry shop. I used and was nominated for the having moved ever since then our stories. So we teach our Many, but these come to mind food and beverage companies to do last minute studying before Commonwealth Writer’s prize from one country to another, students the basic elements of Their Eyes Were Watching on how to conduct more exams here by myself with a – what does this mean to you? I started to shed the idea of writing, so they can articulate God by Zora Neale Hurston; sustainable business. Due to coffee, before going into the A lot, because it connected me nationhood and belonging to their own stories, and at the Season of Migration to the their partnerships, many more examination hall. I still try to to readers in different places. one particular country. That’s same time we provide them with North by Tayeb Salih; and A restaurants have a ‘sustainable visit every time I’m in London. I receive letters from so many why I often say, ‘I don’t know a space to pursue their passion Girl Is a Half-Formed Thing green menu’, which I think is a countries that it still amazes what it means to love one’s for writing with total freedom. by Eimear McBride. great way to get new mindsets me how a book that I wrote own country but I know what imprinted into consumers. When in my small London room has it means to love a book.” So, I I came back to HK in 2014, I (and continues to) travelled to guess all those traumas have led many parts in this world. With me towards this beautiful home each letter I receive, I get to country, called “Literature.”

29 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 30 SOAS Connect SOAS Connect

Will Seal on a field mission in northern Kiribati. Will graduated with a Masters in Global Diplomacy in 2017

Have you signed up to SOAS offering work experience, or If you want to connect was better than I ever could ranging expertise and skill-sets Connect yet? If not, you could providing careers advice via with others who share your have imagined - it helped of SOAS alumni allowed me to be missing out on opportunities email, phone or in person, experience of studying at SOAS, me secure my dream job. gain first-hand career insights to engage with other SOAS this interactive platform can sign up to SOAS Connect and personalized guidance, and alumni, share contact and facilitate introductions between now at [email protected] It allowed me to connect with SOAS develop meaningful contacts. career details, expand your mentors and mentees. Jose M Bendito (MSc Political I was able to connect with professional network, and find Economy of Development, Connect numerous alumni around an alumni mentor or mentee. Are you looking to reconnect Since we launched the 2000), a development consultant the world, with varying with an old classmate, platform in 2017, we are with experience at UNDP, “ backgrounds and experience. SOAS Connect is the online or find someone in your delighted that we already have UNICEF, and the UN Mission helped me community exclusively for SOAS area or field of work? a number of success stories. in East Timor, who provided But one mentor, Jose, was a alumni. It is free to use and is me with insights and guidance secure my particularly valuable guide. Quick one of the many benefits we When you register on SOAS Will Seal - Communications regarding working at the UN. to lend his time and knowledge, offer our alumni. Register now Connect, you can enter contact Officer, Division of Pacific dream job” and provide helpful connections, to start taking advantage of the details, information about your Technical Support, World Having studied at four he guided me through both the opportunities it has to offer. current and previous jobs, as well Health Organization talks to universities, I’ve long been broad strokes of entering the as your degree details. You can us about his experiences. interested in capitalising on me with just those types, I global development sector and Would you like to help others decide how much information alumni networks. Too often they thought it was worth trying. the intricate details - including achieve their career goals? Or you are happy to share with “As a communications seem somewhat underutilised. CVs and interviews. The result perhaps you are looking for others in the Directory. As well professional with an interest Especially when talented, Using the geographic and was fairly quick. Within a few some careers advice to help as other alumni being able to in foreign affairs, building experienced people (particularly expertise filters, I was able months, I had landed the you land your dream job? contact you, you can use the relationships is a vital part of my alumni) always seem willing to search for contacts in perfect role - providing public Directory to find a contact in career. So too is having trusted, to give advice, guidance and relevant areas, connect via the health communications support The eMentoring platform is your academic field, industry global networks. The SOAS support if asked. So, when messaging function, and take to 21 Pacific countries and there to do just that! Whether it’s or even your country. Connect platform allowed me I saw an email about SOAS the conversations further on areas as part of WHO’s Pacific checking a CV or job application, to do just that, and the result Connect, promising to connect other platforms. The wide- team based in Suva, Fiji.”

31 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 32 In Memoriam At SOAS, our lives are touched by many inspirational people. Sadly, we must say a final farewell to some familiar faces.

Aisha Lemu, BA Chinese, Professor Effa Okupa, PhD Jessica Hyba, MSc Public 1965 (1940 - 2019) Law, 1996 (1935 - 2018) Policy and Management, Aisha was introduced to Islamic Effa came to the UK as a 2014 (1975 - 2019) literature at SOAS and was so teenager in 1954 and started Jessica completed her MSc after deeply influenced that she her academic career nearly 30 a long history as a humanitarian converted to Islam. She founded years later. Her PhD focused worker. She worked at the the Islamic Society and later on comparative laws of the humanitarian agency offices in Nigeria, established the family and customary laws. She in Ottawa, in Indonesia as part Islamic Education Trust with her initiated a collaboration between of the Indian Ocean tsunami husband and helped found the SOAS and the University of response effort, and in the Federation of Muslim Women’s Namibia to allow law students Middle East for CARE, UNICEF Associations in Nigeria. Her from UNAM do an exchange and the UNHCR. She had kindness left a mark on students, at SOAS. Her kindness and recently started in Mogadishu friends and colleagues. generosity will be remembered with the UNHCR, when she by her colleagues and friends. was aboard the Ethiopian to Music. In 2015 the Kwabena Lamia Al-Gailani Werr, Rex Sean O’Fahey, PhD Professor Chandra Lekha Airlines plane that crashed in Nketia Centre for Africana SOAS Research Associate in History, 1966 (1943 - 2019) Sriram, SOAS Professor Oliver Vick, MSc Violence, March. Her humanitarian work Studies was officially launched. Archaeology, (1938 - 2019) Rex joined SOAS in 1963 and in Law, (1971 - 2018) Conflict and Development, was highly praised and her His rich legacy will live on. Lamia Al-Gailani was an expert in was awarded a BA, an MA, and In her brief time at SOAS 2003 (1973 - 2019) dedication will continue to archaeology in Iraq and ancient a PhD in History focussing on Professor Sriram left a rich Oliver worked on the UN’s inspire friends and colleagues. Professor Lee Ngok, PhD Mesopotamian antiquities. She the Keira Sultanate of Darfur. legacy, not just in her work, but promotion of local election History, 1967 (1939 - 2019) completed her BA, MA, and PhD He lectured at the University also the research culture in the management in Afghanistan Victor Tsang, Postgraduate Professor Lee was Honorary in the UK, but always returned of Khartoum, the University of Law department. She began where his dedication and hard Certificate on Sustainable President of the education to her home in Iraq where she Edinburgh and at the University the School of Law Research work was recognised. On his way Development, (1981 - 2019) committee and a board worked in the National Museum. of Bergen. Professor O’Fahey Newsletter and the annual PhD to Somalia, he sadly became a Victor was a Programme Officer member of the Li Po Chun She worked to preserve Iraqi was an authority on the Colloquium. Her interdisciplinary victim of the Ethiopian Airlines on Gender in UN Environment United World College of Hong antiquities as well as rebuilding history of the Durfur Sultanate work on peace-building, plane crash. He dedicated based in Nairobi, working on Kong. His PhD focussed on the the Museum after damage in and Sufi brotherhood in the transitional justice, international his life to addressing the strengthening gender equality in anti-Japanese activities of the the American-led invasion. She Sudan whose contributions criminal law, and human insecurity and vulnerability of projects and policies. He had a Chinese Communist Bases in was involved in establishing are widely recognised. rights is widely recognised communities around the world long career working for non­ North China. He was not only a new museum for Basrah. and her energy and passion and he will be deeply missed governmental organisations and a noted academic and higher Colleagues at SOAS and around Paul Thomas Robinson, will be remembered fondly. by friends and colleagues at was passionate about promoting education leader, but also a the world will miss her deeply. MA in Area Studies, (China) SOAS and all over the world. sustainable development and renowned hockey player. His 1975 (1945-2019) Professor Ronald P. Dore, environmental conservation. He presence will be missed by all. Alan Bolt, attended part As well as holding several PhD Japan and Korea, Virginia Chimenti, will remain an inspiration to his of Hokkien Language, lecturer positions, Paul 1949 (1925 - 2018) MSc Development Studies, colleagues and fellow alumni. Edmund Capon, MPhil 1945 (1919 - 2019) demonstrated an ability to turn Ron was a sociologist specialising 2015 (1993 - 2019) Chinese Art and Archaeology, Alan joined SOAS after WWII his hand to just about anything, in the Japanese economy and Virginia worked for the World Professor Kwabena Nketia, 1972 (1940 - 2019) during which he was taken a from real estate to investment society, and the comparative Food Programme and took part MA Linguistics and Phonetics, Edmund worked at the Victoria prisoner of war in Germany. banking. He could get along study of types of capitalism. in environmental and educational 1955 (1921 - 2019) and Albert Museum in London, While in prison he bargained for with anyone and refused to be He studied Japanese at SOAS projects all over the world. She Professor Nketia was then became Director and instruments for an international put ‘in a box’. Paul was proud to on a scholarship alongside the joined the NGO Alice for Children one of the most famous Chief Curator at the Art Gallery orchestra of 50 fellow prisoners have studied at SOAS and will be regular curriculum in Dulwich in Nairobi while at SOAS. Her Ghanaian composers and of New South Wales where which he conducted. After deeply missed by family, friends College. His insights into sister Claudia says that “Even ethnomusicologists. Born he focused on developing the his short time at SOAS Alan and colleagues. A memorial fund empirical phenomena and his as a child, she displayed an at Mampong Asante, his gallery’s Asian art collection. He became an English teacher for SOAS students is being set comprehensive theoretical work inner generosity and a genuine education included a degree also published books on art and and wrote textbooks for up in his name. Donations from on comparative capitalism are concern to look after others.” in Linguistics and Phonetics archaeology in China. His work in English language learners. US taxpayers are being accepted of enormous value to scholars. Her colleagues and fellow from SOAS in 1955. He popularising Asian art continues via Chapel and York Foundation He will be missed by all who alumni will miss her inspiring received multiple Ghanaian to be celebrated and his convivial (choose the Paul Robinson knew or worked with him. and empathetic personality. and international awards, personality will be missed. Award in the drop down menu): including the IMC-UNESCO www.chapel-yorkfoundation. Prize for Distinguished Service org/donate-to-soas

33 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 34 SOAS Book World The latest publications by SOAS alumni and staff

The Pisa Griffin and the Mari- The Political Economy of the Psycho-nationalism: Global Cha Lion. Metalwork, Art and Kurds of Turkey thought, Iranian imaginations Technology in the Medieval Dr Veli Yadirgi, Post-Doctoral Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, Islamicate Mediterranean Research Associate and Teaching Professor in Global Thought Anna Contadini, Professor of Fellow in the Department of and Comparative Philosophies, the History of Islamic Art, Development Studies (Cambridge and Chair of the Centre for The Left Case Against the EU Law and Revolution: Legitimacy The Great Smog of India editor and contributor University Press, 2018) Iranian Studies (Cambridge Costas Lapavitsas, Professor and Constitutionalism After Siddharth Singh, MA International (Pacini Editore, 2018) University Press, 2018) of Economics (Polity, 2018) the Arab Spring, Nimer Sultany, Studies and Diplomacy, 2011 Dr Yadirgi offers a historical Senior Lecturer in Public Law (Penguin India, 2018) This volume contains over 20 analysis of the Kurdish identity Professor Adib-Moghaddam uses Professor Lapavitsas provides a (Oxford University Press, 2018) years’ multidisciplinary work and the socioeconomic and a new framework of psycho- clear and concise response to Every year the Great Smog of on the two unique bronze political changes that have nationalism that looks at the the question why the rightward Sultany demonstrates that India brings health impacts objects and redefines our surrounded the Kurdish role of psychological dynamics drift of the European Union constitutionalism, rule of law on citizens equal to those of understanding of metalwork and people from the Ottoman in the making of nations. The cannot be fought from inside. He and judicial independence smoking a pack of cigarettes art in medieval Mediterranean Empire to modern-day book focuses on the utilisation argues that the EU’s response to were unable to deliver in the a day, causing critically poor areas, demonstrating how Turkish Republic. Shortlisted of the Iranian identity as a the Eurozone crisis demonstrates context of the Arab Spring. health and reduced cognitive individual artefacts can expand for the 2018 British-Kuwait psychological construct to its neoliberal ideology and Winner of the ICON-S Book abilities. Singh discusses the our general historical and cultural Friendship Society Book Prize. feed nationalist aggression. explores the divisive effect of Prize, and the Society of Legal social and political aspects knowledge of an entire region. the rise of German hegemony. Scholars Peter Birks Prize for of the air pollution crisis, and Outstanding Legal Scholarship. what we can do to address it.

No Go World: How Fear Is Corporate Governance in Palestinian Women’s Activism Redrawing Our Maps and The Rule of Violence Contention Dr Islad Jad, PhD in Gender and Infecting Our Politics Salwa Ismail, Professor of Politics Regional Developmentalism Money, Markets and Monarchies: Ciaran Driver, Professor of Development Studies, 2004 Ruben Andersson, BA in (Cambridge University through Law The Gulf Cooperation Council Economics, co-editor (Syracuse University Press) Anthropology, 2003 Press, 2018) Jonathan Bashi, MA Law (2012) and the Political Economy of the (Oxford University Press, 2018) (University of California (Routledge, 2018) Contemporary Middle East This book looks at women Press, 2019) Drawing on fieldwork and Dr Adam Hanieh, Reader in There is much debate on and nationalist movements, interviews completed in Syria This book looks at the African Development Studies the meaning, importance and women and Islamist This book strips the western between 2005 and 2011, this Economic Community in an (Cambridge University Press, 2018) and purpose of corporate movements, two subjects that illusion of a ‘refugee crisis’ to book illustrates life under examination of regionalism and governance. Bringing together haven’t previously been studied its bone: a world ripped apart Assad’s rule and shows how the way that law can potentially The multidisciplinary empirical the work of 20 academics, together. Tracing the history by conflict. Andersson exposes ordinary people felt as subjects address the problems created research in this book gives an this book outlines a sense of the Palestinian women’s the ways in which military of that regime. Professor by regional processes in Africa. understanding of the Gulf that of deep concern that the movement, Dr Jad illuminates its actions, interventions, and aid Ismail examines the effect Jonathan Bashi provides a goes beyond oil. Analyses of current goals and incentives of engagement in Palestine and the coordinated by Western states of the regime’s practices of framework for strengthening agribusiness, real estate, finance, corporate governance are not way it has challenged supposedly and international organisations violence on both Syrian political and harmonising Regional and telecommunications outline fit for 21st century society. immutable Islamic gender roles. contribute to a dangerous spiral subjectivities and on the Economic Communities the key role of the Gulf in shaping of increasing risk and fear. individual and societal level. through effective use of law. the Arab political landscape.

35 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 36 Love in t h e fi r s t degree

In December 2018, my wife (Miki) and I got married in Tokyo. It was a very happy occasion, attended by both our parents and a wonderful way to see the year we graduated from SOAS off in style!

Miki and I met at SOAS whilst we were both studying an MA in Japanese Studies (2016/2017). As I’m British and Miki is Japanese, we were naturally very interested in each other’s cultures and backgrounds. During the summer of 2017, we ended up spending a lot of time together exploring the very best that London has to offer, from art galleries and restaurants, to walks along the river and even a Sake-tasting event! chance encounters, and you I have since returned to SOAS never knew who you might We began dating and I stayed – a place which understandably start chatting to or what you with Miki a number of times in has such strong memories might learn. It made us believe Japan and we ended up getting for me now – to continue in the joy of serendipity!” engaged in March 2018. I timed my studies as a PhD student, the engagement perfectly as while Miki is now working as the cherry blossom season a financial consultant of PwC If you have a SOAS love story was just beginning in Tokyo. (PricewaterhouseCoopers). that you would like to share, Fast-forward one year and we “SOAS was like a second home please email us at are very happily married! to both of us - every day [email protected] as we would felt like it was full of magical be delighted to feature you.

37 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 38 Alumni benefi ts As a former student of SOAS, you have access to a range of fantastic benefi ts, services and discounts – both on and o campus. Check out the benefi ts below.

Library card Careers • Free reference • Life-long access to the To take full advantage membership careers centre for advice of these benefi ts, please and guidance on how visit us online at • Borrowing membership to land the dream job www.soasworld.org is available at a 70% or in person at the discounted rate of SOAS Connect following address: £60 per year • Get guidance on your chosen career SOAS University of London E-Journals Alumni Hub (Room 116) • Free access to hundreds • Mentor alumni College Buildings of academic journals on Russell Square JSTOR and Project MUSE • Build your network and London WC1H 0XG expand opportunities Other Discounts [email protected] • 10% o at the SOAS • Reconnect with +44 (0)20 7898 4041 bookshop old classmates

• 10% o short courses at • Exclusive news and events the SOAS language centre • Monthly e-newsletters • 25% o venue hire at SOAS with latest news and invitations to events • Alumni Union discounts on health, leisure, fi nancial services and more

39 SOAS World Issue 43 www.soasworld.org 40 SOAS Connect

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41 SOAS World Issue 43