Bobby Syed

In the mid-nineties, when Bobby Syed was Director of the PR and marketing consultancy, Hearsay Communications Worldwide, one of the many organisations with which he worked was the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. This was not the first time Bobby had been actively involved with SOAS; his past association with this academic institution included a year as a post graduate student – as well as time spent working for it. For those individuals who may be considering studying at SOAS, online features from Bobby, articles and news stories on issues such as multiculturalism, racism and international relations are available - in short, many of the topics that are looked at in detail are part of courses studied at SOAS.

Bobby’s studies at SOAS commenced after he had gained his BA (Hons) in Peace & Conflict Studies from the University of Bradford. The focus for his thesis at Bradford had been the conflict in Afghanistan and the possible after effects in the region of the Soviet withdrawal. Here, Bobby had attracted media interest by organising a debate between Russian and American students on the eve of the INF Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union. On graduating and moving to London, the subject of his study shifted to the Indian sub-continent. His SOAS thesis was ‘Aspects of Indo-Pakistani conflict and the nuclear issue’ and he covered the politics and geography of South Asia and the role of Islam.

While studying, his extra-curricular studies included taking on the role of Postgraduate Publicity Officer and President of the South Asia Forum where he organised political and cultural debates and fashion shows. At the same time, Bobby Syed also took on the role of a research and conference organiser; a position that involved organising SOAS’s round table discussion on the Indian “Eight”. He was also instrumental in organising a cultural event where the guests included the Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi and Nepalese High Commissioners. After he was awarded his MA, Bobby’s links with SOAS continued as he took on the role of project manager the International Diplomatic Training School; an institution that lives on to this day as the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy.