Marking the centenary celebrations of The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) hosted a dinner banquet with several of SOAS University of London’s alumni from Qatar and the region in attendance. Jointly held by SOAS and HBKU’s College of Humanities & Social Sciences (CHSS), the event was graced by several diplomats and leaders, at the Qatar National Convention Centre on Tuesday evening. 

Commemorating SOAS’ illustrious history with numerous renowned and award winning graduates, the evening celebrated the achievements of successful alumni in the MENA region. The dinner was attended by Baroness Valerie Amos, Director of SOAS University of London and former Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations, Dr Hassan Hakimian, Director of the London Middle East Institute and H.E. Ajay Sharma, British Ambassador to Qatar, among other governmental delegates and SOAS’ academics, scholars and alumni.

From HBKU, Dr. Amal Al-Malki, Founding Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences joined QF representatives and HBKU faculty in hosting the esteemed guests.

As an alumnus of SOAS, Dr. Amal Al-Malki, Founding Dean of CHSS at HBKU commented: “With several SOAS graduates among us today, we are delighted and honored to be hosting this dinner banquet with fellow alumni in Qatar and the MENA region. At HBKU, we strive to actively leverage synergies with local and international partners and organizations to ensure a high quality research and education ecosystem, for the benefit of Qatar, the region, and beyond. It is events like these that foster dialogue in our society and promote discourse within our diverse community.”

The dinner hosted by HBKU and SOAS is part of a series of talks, workshops and conferences happening across the globe, throughout the year, celebrating the 100 year anniversary of SOAS, reflecting the institution’s past and showcasing its future. The event was aimed at strengthening the SOAS alumni community in Qatar and the GCC, and to nurture ties between students and faculty from HBKU, and SOAS’ wide and established alumni network.