As part of celebrating this summer’s graduation ceremonies, SOAS awarded honorary degrees to four distinguished individuals:

Javed Akhtar - Doctor of Literature - is an award-winning scriptwriter, lyricist, poet, and activist, whose work has touched the hearts and minds of millions.

Asma Khan - Doctor of Science (Social Sciences) is a renowned chef and author, who has reshaped the culinary landscape with her approach to food and commitment to social change.

Professor Kevin Fenton CBE MBBS (Hons) MSc PhD FFPH - Doctor of Literature – is a trailblazer in the field of public health whose leadership and expertise have been paramount, particularly during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche – Fellow - is an acclaimed Buddhist scholar and teacher dedicated to spreading Buddhist teachings and establishing centres for learning and meditation.

SOAS confers honorary degrees to individuals whose outstanding achievements and commitment to positive change exemplify the values and aspirations of the university community.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Joanna Newman MBE FRSA, previously the Chief Executive and Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, as Provost.

SOAS Director Professor Adam Habib said: “Professor Newman’s leadership experience and international outlook will be invaluable in driving forward our ambitious strategic goals to create the best possible student experience, expand our research and foster equitable partnerships.”

Professor Newman said: "There has never been a more pressing need across the globe for the specialist knowledge and world-class scholarship that SOAS possesses. As Provost I look forward to working with the SOAS community to realise its vision and strategy, and I couldn't be more excited and honoured to take on this role and to have the opportunity to support world class teaching, learning and research in an institution with equity and diversity at its core."

In September, Rebecca Ruth Gould joined SOAS as a Distinguished Research Professor of Comparative Poetics and Global Politics.

Professor Gould is the Primary Investigator for GlobalLIT, a multi-year research project funded by the European Research Council, which seeks to transform comparative poetics by drawing on the resources of Persian, Arabic, and Turkic literary theories, and which aims to reinvigorate literary studies by introducing new approaches to literary comparison derived from the literary-theoretical traditions of the Muslim world.

Professor Gould said: “I have long admired SOAS as the only university in the UK and one of the few in the world that places the study of non-European cultures and traditions at the centre of its research agenda. I am excited to see the next generation of scholars and creators of non-European traditions being formed at SOAS.”

SOAS University of London has been ranked as one of the most international universities in the UK, according to the latest QS league table of universities.

The School ranked second for the International Faculty Ratio which reflects the proportion of faculty members from around the world, meaning that SOAS is home to one of the most international groups of academic experts in the UK, specialising in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

SOAS also ranked highly for student diversity at 21st in the UK for the proportion of students from outside the UK.

Professor Laura Hammond, Pro-Director of Research & Knowledge Exchange, said: “These results are a testament to SOAS’s international appeal for academic staff, underscoring our ability to attract top-notch international talent due to its academic reputation and quality. They also reveal our appeal to students worldwide who enrich the community that our students enjoy.”