Sudanese-British Broadcaster Zeinab Badawi Appointed President of SOAS

Award-winning Sudanese-British broadcaster and journalist Zeinab Badawi has been appointed as the new president of SOAS University of London, the university announced on 5 October 2021.

We are pleased to announce that the award-winning broadcaster, journalist and SOAS alumna, Zeinab Badawi, @TheZeinabBadawi has been appointed as the new President of SOAS: https://t.co/cTxB2JLdNY pic.twitter.com/cVjcJrXn4M

— SOAS University of London (@SOAS) October 5, 2021

Badawi, a SOAS alumni herself, is one of the most well-known broadcast journalists working in the field today. Her current work includes interviewing some of the world’s most notable personalities and politicians on BBC Hardtalk and hosting Global Questions on BBC World TV and the BBC News Channel.

She is also the founder of the production company, Kush Communications, which creates ground breaking programmes and films, including the 20-part series, ‘The History of Africa with Zeinab Badawi’.

‘This is a really significant time to be starting this journey as the new president of SOAS. It comes at a time when SOAS is increasingly asserting itself with great confidence on the UK and global stage. I look forward tremendously to working with the academic community, staff, the student body, alumni, the supporters, partners and friends of SOAS,’ Badawi said.

Born in Sudan and raised in London, Badawi’s father, Mohammed-Khair El Badawi, was a prominent Sudanese political who was involved in pre-independence politics in Sudan and worked for the BBC’s Arabic Service. Her great grandfather was Babikir Badri, pioneer of women’s education and founder of Ahfad University for Women.

Badawi studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University and holds a Masters Degree (awarded with a distinction) in Middle East History and Anthropology from London University. In July 2011, Zeinab was awarded an honourary doctorate by SOAS London University for her services to international broadcasting. In August 2018, she was awarded the President’s Medal of the British Academy for her contributions to international political journalism and advocacy work for female education. In 2020, she received the Sir Brian Urquhart Award from the United Nations Association UK for distinguished service to the UN.  

She is the current Chair of the Royal African Society, a patron of the BBC Media Action (the charitable arm of the BBC), Vice-President of the United Nations Association UK, and a board member of the African Union Foundation.

Badawi will assume the role of president with immediate effect, following from the renowned humanitarian and activist Graça Machel.

Source: SOAS https://www.soas.ac.uk/news/newsitem155283.html