Advice for SOAS graduates: “Don’t become contented, become determined"

This year's SOAS Honorary Graduands share their life and career advice for graduates navigating the next chapter. 

September is a significant month in every school, college or university calendar, often marking new beginnings. This week, our SOAS graduates and their loved ones have come together with our faculty and esteemed guests to celebrate their achievements and look forward to their next big step.  

We have heard from academics, activists and experts in our Honorary Graduands, who have shared reflections and advice from their long careers. So, if you - like our SOAS graduates this week - have just celebrated the end of the university chapter in your life and are thinking about what to do next, why not reflect on some of the words of wisdom from our ceremonies last week that will inspire purpose and passion. 

Stay curious 

“There is always something more to find out tomorrow, something more to be curious about. As you step into your great futures, let go of low ambitions, other peoples’ criticisms… things that diminish your great hopes and ambitions. Wisdom is to let go of things you don’t need.”

Lord Hastings became the Chair of the SOAS Board of Trustees in January 2022. Lord Hastings began his working career as a schoolteacher and is now Professor of Leadership at the Jon M Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, USA and formerly the Chancellor of Regents University London until the end of 2021.  

Stay critical

“It’s now incumbent on you to use this education wisely. In a world of disinformation and divisions, you have learned the importance of critical thinking.” 

Appointed as President of SOAS in 2021, Zeinab Badawi is best known for her broadcasting work such as on Hardtalk and Global Questions on BBC World TV and the BBC News Channel. Most recently, she published her new book ‘An African History of Africa’, a Sunday Times bestseller.  

Have purpose

“Your task, in my view, is about how to build that new world... To build that world is going to require a different set of ideas, new approaches, a different understanding of creativity, of human beings, to unleash something that can challenge and change the world that we live in today.” 

Professor Anthony Bogues is an author and scholar, having written and edited books on the fields of African and African Diasporic political thought and theory, African and African diasporic intellectual history, and Caribbean art. He was awarded a Doctor of Literature in recognition of his substantial contribution to the studies of African and African diaspora political theory, African and Caribbean politics, Global South development issues, Caribbean Art, political economy of race, and slavery and the history of capitalism.  

Stay optimistic 

“As I turn 80 next week, I have been reflecting on what it means to be an optimist. I learned a long time ago that both an optimist and a pessimist can be wrong, but an optimist dies a happier person.”   

K.Y. Amoako is one of Africa's leading economists and has been at the forefront of development thinking for the past 50 years. A teenager at the time of Ghana’s independence and inspired by the vision of a prosperous and united Africa, Dr Amoako shaped and spearheaded many of the issues and policies central to Africa’s development. A pioneer and passionate advocate for African transformation, he was awarded a Doctor of Science (Social Sciences) in recognition of his work. 

Remember our shared humanity 

“Driving such a positive change will, of course, take time and will need conviction and investment in individuals and institutions. Cooperation across agencies and countries. For me, climate change is a constant reminder of our shared humanity.  

“I share this feeling with you as I come from Bangladesh, which is now going through one of the worst flood disasters of our time. The human and economic cost of these climate-induced disasters are simply unimaginable. Central banks can help, but we all have to work together.” 

Dr Atiur Rahman is Emeritus Professor at the Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka and the founder and Chairman of Unnayan Shamannay, the globally acclaimed research and advocacy organisation. Dr Rahman served as the 10th Governor of Bangladesh Bank from 2009 to 2016. The defining feature of his tenure was his flagship financial inclusion campaign and environmentally benign banking initiatives. He was awarded a Doctor of Science (Economics) in recognition of his substantial contribution to the alleviation of poverty through his work as a renowned economist.

Not all of those who were awarded an honorary SOAS degree this year were able to attend Graduation 2024. For details about all of the honorary awardees for 2024, please read our announcement.

Stay in touch 

As one chapter ends, another begins. Our sincere congratulations to the class of 2024 and our best wishes to each and every one of you going forward.

Are you looking to stay in touch after completing your studies? The SOAS alumni community is here for you. With a global network of 75,000 like-minded alumni, careers advice and alumni discounts, there are plenty of ways to access support, get involved and continue learning, no matter where you are in the world.