Things you might not know about SOAS...

1. Our Director worked for the UN
2. SOAS' President Graça Machel is one of The Elders - a team of global leaders working for peace and human rights
3. We offer a truly global perspective
4. The character of Indiana Jones was inspired by a SOAS lecturer
5. TS Eliot worked in the Faber Building
6. Nirvana played here!
7. News reader Zeinab Badawi studied here
8. We are extending our campus into the North Block of Senate House in 2016
9. Anyone can learn a language at SOAS, whether they stay for a year or endeavour never to leave
10. You can get a free lunch everyday!
11. Our crest features an elephant and a camel
12. We provide support for great ideas
13. We have an ethical food co-op
14. SOAS Radio brings eclectic music to the masses
15. We were the first London university to divest from fossil fuels

1. Our Director worked for the UN

   New Director Valerie Amos has spent the last 5 years as international humanitarian aid chief at the UN.

   

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2. SOAS' President Graça Machel is one of The Elders - a team of global leaders working for peace and human rights

   Graça Machel, our president, is a renowned humanitarian and a global campaigner for education and the rights of women. She was also married to Nelson Mandela.

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3. We offer a truly global perspective

   In proportion to our size and numbers, we are one of the most international universities in the world.

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4. The character of Indiana Jones was inspired by a SOAS lecturer

   SOAS lecturer William McGovern, (grandfather of Downton Abbey actress Elizabeth McGovern) was an inspiration for the film character Indiana Jones.

   

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5. TS Eliot worked in the Faber Building

   TS Eliot, the famous poet and dramatist, worked in the Faber Building as an editor when it was the home of independent publishing house Faber & Faber.
   
   

   

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6. Nirvana played here!

   Seattle grunge outfit Nirvana played the Students’ Union in November of 1989.

   

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7. News reader Zeinab Badawi studied here

   News reader Zeinab Badawi is an alumna of the School having graduated in 1989 with an MA in Near and Middle Eastern Studies.

   

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8. We are extending our campus into the North Block of Senate House in 2016

   In June 2016, we are moving over the North Block of Senate House, London’s first skyscraper and George Orwell’s inspiration for the Ministry of Truth in his dystopian novel 1984.

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9. Anyone can learn a language at SOAS, whether they stay for a year or endeavour never to leave

   Every student can learn a language from scratch (read about SOAS language teaching during WW2 as featured on the BBC) (read about Josh Parfitt learning Indonesian in one year and winning major speaking competition)

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10. You can get a free lunch everyday!

    A feature of the precinct is the Hare Krishna lunch queue – free veggie lunches for all-comers – a thousand meals a week are provided!

    

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11. Our crest features an elephant and a camel

    SOAS’ crest features a camel, an elephant and a lion. The motto is ‘Knowledge is power’

    

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12. We provide support for great ideas

    SOAS Ventures is a student society that supports student’s entrepreneurial activities. Got an idea? Find out what support is available to help you make it a reality.

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13. We have an ethical food co-op

    SOAS Food Co-op: a not-for-profit, student run-store stocking organic and ethically sourced food takes place every Tuesday and Wednesday in the Students’ Union.

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14. SOAS Radio brings eclectic music to the masses

    SOAS Radio is dedicated to varied and original programming on world music, culture and current affairs. Every year they recruit a host of talented students to join the team. Find out how you can get involved.

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15. We were the first London university to divest from fossil fuels

    In 2015, SOAS became one of the first universities in the UK (and first in London) to divest from fossil fuels, in a response to a campaign by staff and students.

    

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