SOAS Alumni Online Community

Alumni Contact Devon Knudsen, hosted a rooftop barbecue in Kenya this June. 

Please keep an eye on future correspondence for details of the next meeting

Last month SOAS alumni ambassador Fatima Bhutto (MA South Asian Studies 2005) returned to SOAS to launch her new book ‘Songs of Blood and Sword’. The event was attended by nearly 300 people, for those of you unable to make it you can now watch her talk online here. You can also see images of her visit and listen to her alumni podcast contribution below:

Notable alumni Danny Choo returns to SOAS. Whilst on campus Danny took the time to talk to OpenAir Radio and catch up with fellow alumni. You can now see images and listen to a podcast from his visit.

SOAS International Officer Anya Funston visited Tokyo, Japan and meet with alumni for drinks. The opportunity served as a chance to catch-up with current SOAS events, and to reminisce about times gone by.

Old acquaintances and new spent the evening catching up, swapping notes (and contact details) and sharing news on all things filmi. In attendance were most of the current Masters course students, and former students including Georgie Carroll (MA Anthropology of Media 2008), currently working in advertising and writing a book; Fifi Haroun, media advisor, journalist and events organiser amongst many other things; Charlie Henniker (MA South Asia Area Studies 2008), director of sketch comedy group The Unexpected Items (creators of youtube hit Gap Yah) and working in Digital Marketing at BBC Worldwide; Jessica Hines, author of ‘Looking for the Big B: Bollywood, Bachchan and Me’ for Bloomsbury and founder of Inside India; David Lunn (MA Comparative Literature of Asia and Africa 2007), a PhD student and Teaching Fellow at SOAS (allowed to attend as second marker of cinema papers and film enthusiast); Anna Morcom (BA Hindi 1996, Phd Music 2002), whose PhD was on Hindi film songs, now Academic Fellow at Royal Holloway College, University of London and author of ‘Hindi Film Songs and the Cinema’ (2007), Tibetan singer, writer on Bollywood music & dance and Tibetan culture; Shikha Sethi (MA Comparative Literature of Asia and Africa 2007), now working in publishing; and of course Rachel and Michael Dwyer (SOAS alumnus, in African history). 

Aside from the delicious food, the impromptu mehfil (songs from Mughal-e Azam to Kal Ho Naa Ho were sung) and the inclusion of Rupee notes (Indian & Pakistani) in the bill total, there was a heartening display of the post-SOAS employment record. All those in attendance were pursuing fulfilling and exciting careers (and sometimes two or more at the same time) and continuing to contribute to a global network of activity, often drawing directly on their study of Hindi cinema and Indian culture. 

Further alumni events like this are being planned, and suggestions are welcome – we aim to host a more structured event or evening next time.

I am pleased to announce the first meeting of the Brussels Alumni Association on the 17 February, at the home of one of the Alumnus. It was a success and several members have since offered to host similar meetings in the future.

The Brussels Alumni look forward to their next meeting, and hope that any other Alumni in the area, or Alumni travelling through the region might join them. Details of future events will be posted as they are made available to us.

International Officer Devina Sivagurunathan met with alumni in Chennai for a small but personal dinner gathering at the Anise Restaurant at the Taj Coromandel Hotel.

We currently don't have an Alumni Contact for Chennai, so if you would to volunteer for this role, please contact us at alumni@soas.ac.uk !

Vice Principal Professor Nirmala Rao and International Officer Devina Sivagurunathan were joined by over 30 alumni for a very entertaining evening at the Delhi Gymkhana Club on the evening of 23 November 2009.

Not only were alumni treated to a walk down SOAS memory lane over an appetizing buffet meal but were also given an informative talk by Prof. Rao regarding the present developments and future plans for SOAS. You may view Prof. Rao's speaker biography online.

A particularly notable presence was SOAS alumnus  Julian Parr's (MSc Development Studies 1996) car - a colourful and lively tribute to his passion for Indian cinema! Many thanks to Frank de Caires (Msc Development Studies 1993) for the photograph! Said Frank de Caires: "It was an excellent evening"

To get involved with alumni activities in Delhi, please contact:

Anil Malhotra (LLM 1985) & Ranjit Malhotra (LLM 1993): malhotraranjitindia@rediffmail.com

Kuriakose Varghese (LLM 2007): kuriakose.varghese@gmail.com

6 of our Kolkata-based alumni joined International Officer Devina Sivagurunathan for an intimate dinner gathering at the beautiful home of alumna Nayantara Palchoudhuri (MA South Asian Studies 1985) on the 16th November 2009.

Said Devina: "Thank you Nayantara for hosting an amazing event last night. I am still thinking about the wonderful meal we had-- it was so so good!!"
Many thanks to Nayantara for kindly hosting our alumni evening at her home!

To get involved with alumni activities in Kolkata, please contact Nayantara Palchoudhuri: np3291@gmail.com

9 of our Mumbai-based Alumni joined International Officer Devina Sivagurunathan for an informal and jovial dinner gathering at the Olive Bar & Restaurant on the evening of Sunday 15th November 2009.

Said Udita Jhunjhunwala (our primary alumni contact for Mumbai): “What a fun evening at Olive! Great to meet so many SOAS alum and I hope we can keep the energy of Sunday night going and meet again early in the new year.”

To get involved with alumni activities in Mumbai, please contact Udita on uditaj@gmail.com

Well over 20 alumni joined International Officer Anja Funston at SOAS Alumnus Guy Jackson's (BA Thai 1988) new 'Spanish on 4' restaurant-- Bangkok's first authentic Spanish Tapas restaurant!

Many thanks to Guy for kindly offering to host our Bangkok alumni evening!

To get involved with alumni activities in Thailand, please contact:

Tiffany Hacker (MA Study of Religions 2005):
tiffhacker@hotmail.com

Wibha Kongkanandana (PhD South East Asia 1973):
wiranute.k@gmail.com
Wiranute Kongkanandana (Foundation Diploma for Postgraduate Studies 2004): wiranute.k@gmail.com 

The Taipei alumni met on 24 October 2009 at the Roadhouse Grill for an informal gathering over dinner and drinks.

Many thanks to Daniel Mojahedi, Taipei Alumni Contact (MA Chinese Studies 2008) for helping to organise this event.

International Officer Anja Funston was joined by over 30 alumni at a reunion dinner organised by the SOAS-Japan Alumni Network on 16 October 2009 at the Kyou Machi Koi Shigure restaurant in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Our thanks to Mari Taoka and SAIJ for their outstanding efforts! To get involved in our alumni activities in Japan, please contact: kuribayashikenta@yahoo.co.jp.

Said attendee Kyle Yee (MSc Financial Economics 2001): "Great meeting all of you finally, and I had a great time... Keep in touch and see you at the next alumni event"

Below are some photos taken by our event organisers on the evening:

The SOAS Hong Kong Alumni Association saw an impressive turn-out for their Happy Hour Gathering at The Pier 7 in Central, Hong Kong on Wednesday 14 October 2009.

Frankie Lee, Convenor for the Annual Event Organising Committee, said: "There were 22 friends of SOAS (including the organisers) turning up during the Happy Hour Gathering at Pier 7...the participants were very diversified, ranging from the year of graduation in 1986 to 2009."

"We had a great time...I met some of my former SOAS students...we all miss SOAS and missed London a lot! We took some photos and also exchanged information on each other. And we are going to have an annual dinner party on the 3rd of Dec in HK. Great news!"-- Cindy Li (MA Chinese Studies 2009).

To get involved with our alumni activities in Hong Kong, please contact:
Anthony Chan: anthony.chan@hammonds.com
Helen Wong: helengewong@hotmail.com
Ian Godfrey: ian.godfrey@gmail.com  

The recent alumni dinner in the very popular 'Magnificent Fish & Chips Bar' in Kuala Lumpur on the 9th October saw a turn-out of over 15 SOAS alumni-- including Alan Young (BA Chinese) who graduated from SOAS in 1948! Alumni were joined by International Officer Devina Sivagurunathan.

To get involved with alumni activities in Malaysia, please contact:
Linza Wells: linzawells@yahoo.com
Valerie Lynn-McDonough: Val1lynn@hotmail.com

International Officer Laura Hayes joined some of our alumni in Vancouver for a cosy and informal drinks evening at Joey's Restaurant on Thursday 8th October 2009.

L-R: Miles Price, Laura Hayes, Juvarya Warsi, Gordon Nickel, Tsering Shakya.

Prof. Tom Grunfeld (MA Area Studies 1973) hosted a SOAS alumni gathering at his residence in The Village, New York City on Thursday 1 October 2009, to which near 15 alumni attended, including International Officer Anja Funston.

To get involved with alumni activities in New York, please contact Katrin Zimmerman of the SOAS alumni network in New York at exovonyc@earthlink.net.
Our thanks to Prof Grunfeld for kindly hosting at his beautiful residence!

We are delighted to see a growing network of active SOAS Alumni in Washington who gathered together for an informal evening of drinks and shisha on Wednesday 23rd September at Chi-Cha Lounge.

They were also joined by International Officer Anja Funston who later commented: “The Washington alumni gathering went really well. About 40 alumni came and there was a great atmosphere. The group seems to be really taking off”

For more information on the DC Alumni group, get in touch with Abdul Kargbo (MSc International Politics 2005) at abdul.k.kargbo@gmail.com , and join the group’s Facebook page. SOAS DC Alumni are expanding activities beyond the monthly happy hours to include talks, barbecues, cultural outings, and more. As the group continues to grow, Abdul and team look forward to establishing a strong alumni community in Washington DC and fostering closer relations with the Alumni Relations team in London.

Alumni met up for a high-profile networking event in Washington DC, with special guests Professor Nirmala Rao, SOAS Vice Principal, and Julian Ha, alumnus and SOAS Development Advisory Board member.

Hosted by the Alumni Relations team and the DC Alumni group, the evening commenced with introductions by Abdul Kargbo (MSc International Politics 2005), Alumni Contact for DC, and Julian Ha (Politics 1989). Abdul informed the gathering on developments of the Washington DC Alumni Group, encouraging people to stay in touch, whilst Julian spoke on his SOAS and work experiences, and his role as a member of the School's Development Advisory Board.

The evening then followed with a presentation by Professor Nirmala Rao, titled 'SOAS The coming challenges', followed by information on alumni activity at SOAS by Zeba Salman, Alumni Relations Manager. The presentation was very well received, with an interactive Q&A session, and alumni asking questions about donating to SOAS, Annual Fund campaign and voluntary support. Please click here for more information on supporting SOAS, and Speaker Biographies for the evening can also be viewed online.

The event was a great opportunity for alumni to meet and network with old classmates, to be updated on SOAS activities and to help strengthen the alumni network in the DC region. 'Thank you' to all those who attended, and particularly to Abdul and Miriam Kramer (MA International Studies and Diplomacy 2002) for their great help and support in organising and making this event a success!

To find out more about SOAS alumni activity in Washington DC, and to get involved, please drop a line to alumni@soas.ac.uk.  

Alumni met for the first official SOAS alumni events on the US West Coast, with social evenings in Los Angeles and San Francisco in April 2009.

Zeba Salman (Alumni Relations Officer) and Anja Funston (International Officer) were present at the evening events, and had a great time. The social evening events gave alumni the opportunity to meet and network with their old classmates and friends, and reminisce about SOAS.

Our thanks to SOAS Alumni Contacts for Los Angeles and San Francisco, Jeanna Trammell (MA Comparative and International Legal Studies 2005) and Ceri Rich-Odeh (MA African Studies 1981) respectively, for their support in organising these events!

This is the start of SOAS alumni activity in California, and if you would like to get involved, please drop a line to alumni@soas.ac.uk.

SOAS alumni met up for the first time in many years in Beijing and Shanghai at enjoyable alumni events.

Greeted by Nick Butler, Head of the International Office at SOAS, the informal evening events gave alumni the opportunity to meet and network with their old classmates and friends, and reminisce about SOAS.

We are grateful to our Alumni Contacts in China for organising these events. Peter Mumford (MSc Economics 2001) and Shen-ying Tung
(ELD 1995, History of Art 1999, MA History of Art and Archaeology 2000) arranged great events in Beijing and Shanghai, respectively.

To get involved with the alumni network in China, please send an email to alumni@soas.ac.uk.

Organised jointly between the Alumni Relations team and committee members of the SOAS Hong Kong Alumni Association, alumni met up in Central Hong Kong for an informal drink evening on 18 February 2009.

They were joined by Sophie MacLeod from SOAS' International Office, and the evening gave alumni the opportunity to catch up with former classmates and network with each other.

The Association meet up regularly, and if you would like to be kept informed on alumni events in HK, please do keep your details updated with the Alumni Relations team (alumni@soas.ac.uk).

SOAS alumni were amongst a host of guests at the evening seminar entitled, 'Surrogacy: Bane or Boon', held on 13 February 2009 at the the India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi.

Organised by our Alumni Contacts for North India, Anil Malhotra (LLM 1985) and Ranjit Malhotra (LLM 1993), the topic for debate covered surrogacy laws in India, as based on a recent article by Anil Malhotra, titled 'Business of Babies' (The Tribune).

Guests at the event were led by keynote speaker Mr Soli Sorabjee, former Attorney General of India and Dr Justice AR Lakshmanan, Chairman Law Commission of India and former Judge Supreme Court of India (Online Speaker Biographies). SOAS International Officer, Devina Sivagurunathan, was also present on the evening, and pleased to meet with alumni in New Delhi.

To view the full report and photographs from the evening seminar, please click here.

SOAS alumni gathered for the British Council's 'UK Alumni United 09 - Reignite UK Experience!' dinner event, held in Bangkok on 7 February 2009.

Anja Funston, SOAS International Officer, was present on the evening, and was pleased to meet with the alumni. Billed as the BC's "biggest get-together of the year", alumni from various UK universities got together and refreshed old memories. Amongst the group of SOAS alumni attending was MP Akapol Sorasuchart (MA International Studies and Diplomacy 1996) and noted Thai theatre scholar Dr Mattani Rutnin (PhD South East Asia 1978).

Alumni from the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain joined Victoria Moss (Alumni Relations Manager) and Fiona McWilliams (Director of Development & Alumni Relations) for a fantastic event to mark the launch of the SOAS UAE Alumni Association at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday 21 January. The evening, which comprised a reception and dinner, was very generously hosted by HE Edward Oakden CMG, Ambassador to the UAE and a SOAS alumnus himself, together with Lady Barbara Judge, Chair of the SOAS Governing Body.

We were also fortunate to be able to welcome some special guests, including HE Dr Hanif Hassan Ali, the Minister for Education, Ahmed Al-Sayegh, Chairman of MASDAR – Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company and a member of the SOAS International Advisory Board, HE Dr Sulaiman M. Al Jassim, Vice Chancellor, Zayed University, and Paul Sellers, Director of the British Council UAE, amongst others.

"Thank you for inviting me! I thoroughly enjoyed the evening...and it was a great opportunity to meet former students of SOAS in Abu Dhabi. I look forward to remaining in touch with the SOAS Alumni team!" Faisal Tirmizi (MA International Studies & Diplomacy 2002)

This was the first formal event for SOAS alumni in the UAE, and we hope that it will encourage our alumni in the region to keep in touch with each other and get together regularly. Our two Alumni Contacts – Ziad Salloum (Abu Dhabi) and Brian Scudder (Dubai) – are already discussing plans for the next event, and would love to hear from other SOAS alumni in the region. Please contact them if you have any ideas or suggestions or if you would like to help organise future events and activities in UAE. 

SOAS alumni gathered for the first-ever alumni events in Pakistan, across the three cities of Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, in Jan 08-Dec 09.

Zeba Salman, Alumni Relations Officer, was present at these events, and was pleased to welcome so many enthusiastic and keen alumni! The alumni dinner events in Pakistan were very successful, especially considering that these were the first official SOAS alumni events to be held in the country.

To view the full event report, with alumni quotes and photographs, please click here.

For more information on alumni activity in Pakistan, please send an email to alumni@soas.ac.uk.

We were delighted to recently host a series of alumni events across India in November 2008, held in Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi. Joined by Devina Sivagurunathan, SOAS International Officer, the events gave alumni the opportunity to develop initial ideas in establishing a SOAS alumni association in India.

Mumbai - 15 November 2008
The first of the alumni events was held at the Taj Lands End Hotel in Mumbai, and was a great success!

Alumni discussed how to be more active and take SOAS alumni activities forward with more regular informal gatherings, as well as ways to network with prospective students.

"It was a lovely evening - thank you Devina and SOAS! Look forward to seeing everyone soon." Udita Jhunjhunwala (MA South Asian Studies 1992), Alumni Contact for Mumbai

Kolkata - 18 November 2008
Hosted at the Taj Bengal Hotel, SOAS alumni gathered together for informal drinks and snacks.

"It was a real pleasure to meet with alumni in Kolkata;  I am hoping that the evening will be the start of more frequent alumni events." Devina Sivagurunathan, SOAS International Officer

New Delhi - 24 November 2008
Alumni enjoyed an evening meal at the renowned India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi. The venue was kindly arranged by our Alumni Contacts, Anil Malhotra (LLM 1985) and Ranjit Malhotra (LLM 1993).

"Enjoyed meeting everyone on Monday evening...the event was an excellent way to kick start the SOAS Alumni North India chapter. The challenge will be to build on this momentum and caste the net wider to involve other alumni in and around Delhi." Frank de Caires (MSc Development Studies 1993)

"The Alumni dinner meet was fantastic and the response was overwhelming. All the young and not-so-young alumni were very happy to reconnect. The initiative on behalf of SOAS was highly appreciated...It was a wonderful beginning and we shall all take this movement forward by involving more and more former students." Anil and Ranjit Malhotra, Alumni Contacts

For more information on our alumni activities in India, please contact alumni@soas.ac.uk.

Over 50 alumni and students attended the Barristers Alumni Evening event at SOAS, making it a successful and enjoyable evening of social and career networking.

The evening began with a panel of alumni speakers, each discussing topics such as, skills needed in the profession, day in the life of a barrister, and sample cases. The panel was chaired by Professor Werner Menski and you may view the profiles of panel speakers by clicking here.

The talks were then followed by a networking session, giving students and alumni the opportunity to socialise over refreshments.

The event was co-organised by Alumni Relations, Careers Service and the School of Law at SOAS.

A series of alumni events were held across Asia, bringing together our diverse SOAS alumni! Read on for the event reports and photos...

Hong Kong
Almost 30 alumni attended the alumni drinks evening in Hong Kong on Thursday 23 October.

The event was organised by the SOAS Hong Kong Alumni Association, and Anja Funston, SOAS International Officer, was also present on the evening.

"The alumni drinks went well and it was a nice evening, enjoyed by all!" Anja Funston, SOAS International Officer

A more formal dinner event in Hong Kong is currently being planned for March 2009.

Taipei, Taiwan
Alumni in Taipei joined Devina Sivagurunathan, SOAS International Officer, for an enjoyable social evening on Saturday 1 November.

Held on the 38th floor of the Shangri-La Hotel, alumni had stunning views of the city skyline as they mingled over drinks.

"The informal gathering in Taipei was a huge success!! The alumni were very pleased that an event was organised in Taiwan, and there was were a really nice mix of Taiwanese and British graduates and even one Korean student who came on exchange." Devina Sivagurunathan, SOAS International Officer

"Thank you for hosting the SOAS alumni party in Taipei. I had a lot of fun talking to fellow alumni and am sure you will make many good memories hosting other alumni get-togethers around Asia." Ben Hlavaty (MA Taiwan Studies 2007)

Our thanks to Diccon Sandrey (Thai and Law 2004), for organising this event.

Alumni in Taiwan look forward to a more formal dinner function in March 2009.

Seoul, Korea
Alumni met at the Seoul Plaza Hotel on Saturday 1 November, and were greeted by Nick Butler (Head of Student Recruitment) and Sue Weakley (Head of the Foundation Diploma for Postgraduate Studies).

"The event went very well, and the alumni had some useful suggestions for the alumni group" Sue Weakley

Tokyo, Japan
SOAS Alumni in Japan (SAIJ) organised a fantastic event at the British Council in Tokyo on Thursday 6 November, with some 45 alumni attending.

HIH Prince Mikasa, Honorary President of SAIJ, joined HE David Warren CMG, HM Ambassador to Japan and the newly-appointed Patron of the SAIJ, as VIP guests at the event.

Professor Paul Webley, SOAS Director and Principal and Victoria Moss, SOAS Alumni Relations Manager, were also present, and SOAS Professor in the History of Art, Tim Screech, gave a fascinating lecture on the ‘History of Edo’.

Our thanks to SAIJ Chairman, Kenta Kuribayashi (MSc Development Studies 2002) and the SAIJ team for organising this event. 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Victoria Moss and Anja Funston, SOAS International Officer, were joined by eight alumni at the Prince Hotel in KL on Saturday 8 November. 

Artist and SOAS alumna, Jurema Baker (Sotheby's Asian Arts 1990), displayed her art creations at the event, and our thanks to Jurema for helping to organise this event.

Singapore
On Tuesday 11 November, Victoria Moss hosted drinks for fifteen SOAS alumni at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Singapore.

It had been the first alumni event for several years, and was a great evening. Alumni guests included well-known broadcast journalist, Yeen Nie Hoe (MSc Asian Politics 2006).

“A note of thanks for the splendid occasion at the Pan-Pacific Atrium on Tuesday night. It was a very good venue to get together and recall good old times and favourite lecturers.” Kenneth Wilson (Geography 1983).

November 2008

Enjoyable alumni events were held across North America in September and October 2008, as part of Anja Funston's (SOAS International Officer) student recruitment visits.

The series of informal events gave alumni the opportunity to meet and network with fellow SOAS alumni living in their respective areas, and the chance to catch up and reminisce about SOAS with former classmates.

Vancouver, Canada - 12 September 2008
"I really enjoyed meeting the SOAS Alumni members and the wine and nibbles...and will be keeping in touch with some of the fellow SOAS folk I met that evening. We (definitely) ought to do this again!" - Jasleen Khandari (Art History and Archaeology with Music 2001)

 

Toronto, Canada - 19 September 2008
"I had a really fun night with everyone and we'll definitely have to do this again in Toronto!" - Melissa Patterson (MSc Development Studies 2003) 

Boston MA, USA - 30 September 2008
Our thanks to Alumni Contact, Kerianne Panos (MSc Development Studies 2002) for organisng this event!

New York City, USA - 3 October 2008
This alumni evening was kindly hosted by SOAS alumnus and SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor, Tom Grunfeld (MA Area Studies 1973), at his residence in NYC. Our thanks to Tom and Alumni Contact, Katrin Zimmermann (Arts and Archaeology 1990), for putting together a great social evening for SOAS alumni. 

Washington DC, USA - 7 October 2008
"Just wanted to thank you for the drinks yesterday. It was a great time meeting you and the other SOAS grads." - Ary Atrushi (LLM 2001) 

Make sure you are kept informed of alumni events in your local region by updating your profile.

October 2008

The Law Society of England and Wales recently invited 20 Indian law firms to visit the UK from 2-5 September 2008 in order to meet English law firms interested in establishing cross border links.

India’s top 50 law firms were invited, including SOAS alumnus and Advocate Ranjit Malhotra (LLM 1993), specialist in international law, and partner of Malhotra and Malhotra Associates.
              
Paul Marsh, President of the Law Society of Britain said, "There is nowhere in the world that is currently attracting as much attention, either as an overseas market for our companies or as an inward investor into this country, as India…today India is the third largest investor in the UK, not just because of our historical connections and the comfort levels that we have in dealing with each other, but also because of the great opportunities that this country offers to investors”.
 
"In the last four years, 35 million pounds worth legal work pertaining to international deals have been done in India and during the same period ten times of that work was done abroad…", Ms Alison Hook, Head of International, The Law Society of Britain, told the delegates at the inaugural ceremony.

Delegates were then invited to the UK India Business Council Gala Dinner, hosted by Lord Mayor Alderman David Lewis, with Lord Bilimoria CBE, DL, UK Chairman Indo British Partnership. Hosted at the official residence of the Mayor of London, proceeds from the charity dinner were made towards the welfare of blind people in India.

The Law Society is the representative body for over 110,000 solicitors, worldwide. Established in 1825, the Law Society protects and promotes solicitors by negotiating with and lobbying the profession’s regulators, government and others and by offering training and advice to its members.

The trade mission gave the opportunity for a greater understanding of the legal systems  of both UK and Indian firms,  with a deeper appreciation of the vast array of opportunities and expertise that are available for both sides to tap into.

Ranjit Malhotra (LLM 1993)
14 September 2008

"London Daigaku Kai (London Alumni)", an informal association of Japanese alumni associations of Colleges of the University of London, organised an alumni party. The gathering was hosted by the Brtish Minister, Mr David Fitton, at his house in the British Embassy in Tokyo.

London Daigakukai hold this party annually with almost 100 University of London alumni attending. Alumni enjoyed meeting up in the British Embassy residence. 

Anja Funston, SOAS International Officer, met up over drinks with Mat Mathews, our Alumni Contact in Washington, and fellow alumni on a trip to the USA in June 2008.

Pictured from left to right are:
Abdul Kargbo (MA International Politics 2005)
Heidi Mcintire  (MSc Development Economics 2003)
Rachel Core (MSc Development Economics 2003)
Mat Mathews (MA International Studies and Diplomacy 2001; Alumni Contact, Washington DC)

New York, USA - June 2006 

SOAS alumni in the New York City area gathered at the home of alumnus, Professor Tom Grunfeld (MA Area Studies 1973).