SOAS and Alumni Events
SOAS hosts many events throughout the year, both in person and online. These range from music concerts and art exhibitions, to public lectures, conversations and discussions with leading academics and world figures from the worlds of politics, finance and more.
We also hold many special events for SOAS alumni, and our worldwide alumni groups organise their own events and reunions.
This is a small selection of our upcoming events. For a full list, visit SOAS events and get involved.
June
10 June
Undergraduate Open Day
Campus Visit
If you know anyone who may be interested in attending SOAS as an undergraduate, please let them know that this year’s undergraduate open day is on 10 June. Prospective students can visit SOAS to see the facilities first hand, chat to current students, and meet lecturers.
11 June
One-day course on playing the Kora
10am to 5:30pm
SOAS Campus, London
Enjoy a captivating day being taught to play the Mandinka kora by the great Senegalese griot Kadialy Kouyate, a renowned performer and teacher.
The Dragon Roars Back: Transformational Leaders and Dynamics of Chinese Foreign Policy
5 pm
Music performance at Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
12 June
Professor Suisheng Zhao, Director of the Centre for China-US Cooperation at the University of Denver delivers a talk on what has driven China’s international behaviour in the past, and what shapes its future, based on research for his new book, The Dragon Roars Back.
31 June
Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry Memorial Lecture - The Sassanian Empire: A Fire That Was Extinguished
6pm
Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS campus, London
Join us for a fascinating historical lecture by Justice Rohinton Nariman on the Sassanian Dynasty which ruled Persia for over 400 years. The lecture will be followed by a reception and refreshments.
July
3 July – 7 July
Various music courses
SOAS Campus, London
Learn about different musical styles and instruments in a series of paid courses across a week in July. Led by renowned performers and teachers, you can spend five days learning styles such as the musical heritage of Maqam, Senegalese Sabar drumming, Indian Tabla, Guzheng, or Cuban big band.
13 July – 23 September
Japanese Aesthetics of Recycling
Brunei Gallery, SOAS Campus, London
Join us at a new exhibition highlighting the beauty of Japanese recycling, showcasing over 100 objects from the Karun Thakar Collection, mostly made of cotton, hemp, bast fibres, washi (handmade paper) and pottery.
14 July – 23 September
A.P. Santhanaraj (1932-2009) –
Modern Art from South India
Brunei Gallery, SOAS Campus, London
This exhibition features material from The Noble Sage Art Collection and Manuelpillai Fine Arts. It highlights A.P. Santhanaraj - the most influential artist of the second wave of the Madras College of Arts and Craft - as well as some of his contemporaries.
17 July
SOAS Art Collection Highlights
2pm to 3.30pm
Brunei Gallery, SOAS campus, London
Come to the Brunei Gallery to view some of the highlights of the SOAS art collection. You will learn how to handle, care for and look after historical objects, giving an insight into the behind-the-scenes work of maintaining collections.
24 July – 28 July
Four Alumni Receptions in South Africa with Director Professor Adam Habib
Johannesburg, 24 July
Pretoria, 25 July
Cape Town, 27 July
Durban, 28 July
The receptions will be an opportunity to meet Director Professor Habib (former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Witwatersrand), hear first-hand about the SOAS strategic vision to "Reimagine SOAS for the 21st Century" and create equitable partnerships with universities in the Global South. It will also be an opportunity to discover ways in which you can engage with SOAS both locally in your city and in London.