Beautiful Warfare has OFFICIALLY LANDED!

So we've been talking about AG.11 for months but TONIGHT is the official marketing launch!

TICKETS FROM: http://www.imperialcollegeunion.org/afro-caribbean-11/african-caribbean-afrogala-premium-tickets-2552/product.html

AFROGALA is unrivalled as being the biggest and best African-Caribbean student show in the UK.

For 11 years running, the Imperial College African Caribbean Society has produced jaw-dropping performances celebrating African and Caribbean talent and culture. In 2009 we celebrated the 10th anniversary of this eclectic production and it is sure to gain momentum and grow for years to come as we seek to broaden the scope of what Afrogala can do.

Beautiful   Warfare is 2011’s contribution to Afrogala’s legacy - a theme thoughtfully captured in each act; portraying both sides of this oxymoron. From street dance to modelling; African drums to Caribbean melodies; from thought-provoking verses to not-so-serious dramas, we guarantee a night of sheer entertainment, bursting with variety and a take home message:

In whatever we fight for or against, whatever we need to overcome, may its beauty be evident.

Afrogala is much more than a show: it is the vitality of our heritage and an opportunity for people to connect and develop a mature appreciation of our culture. 

Below is the AG.11 Promo Video!!

Trailer out soon!!

Times Top Universities in Africa 2010

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2010-2011/africa.html

So Tobi (one of our three amazing marketing directors) brought this article to my attention and I just felt to share it...


As the title suggests, it reports the top African Universities in rank order. So I clicked on the link and found that they concluded there are only two universities in the whole of Africa worthy of even being included in the rankings - University of Cape Town, South Africa and Alexandria University, Egypt. 


When I saw this I immediately thought it was just some sock sat in his/her bedroom writing untrue things. But if you continue to read it, it does look like the research was put in and this is not just an attack on Africa, the second largest and second most populated continent on the planet. 


Whether it's true or not, it does raise some thought-provoking points. I quote:

“Africa inherited a higher education system that was a carbon copy of [that of] the powers that colonised it. Right from the beginning, Africa started on a wrong footing – well behind the starting line, so to speak.

“Despite all the political and economic turmoil it has gone through since independence – often of its own making – it is now expected to compete on a completely non-level playing field. Not only is this unfair, it is also inappropriate,” says Mohamedbhai, who has also served as vice-chancellor of the University of Mauritius."

And then..

“Many of its best students take their higher degrees at universities in Europe, Asia and North America. Too few return. The African diaspora provides powerful intellectual input to the research achievements of other countries but returns less benefit to the countries of birth,” the report says.

“Science and technology are critical not only to the continent’s economic prosperity but also to such matters as food security, disease control, access to clean water and environmental sustainability…The volume of [research] activity remains small, much smaller than is desirable if the potential contribution of Africa’s researchers is to be realized for the benefit of its populations.”

The truth is, we all read this kind of stuff and think "yeah it's a real shame', but how many of us really intend on going back to our mother countries to work? I don't think this makes us selfish but we can't act like these kind of remarks aren't directed at us. I was born in the UK but I still feel like  I'm very much included. 

So yeah, I don't want to go into a debate cos that's not what this blog is for, but I think it's definitely worth thinking about

2011 ACS loveeee

Emma xx

Look at how talented our secretary is!!

Miss Alexis Nelson drew this to embody 2011's Afrogala, 'Beautiful Warfare'

Amazing is it not!?

Mission AG.11: Beautiful Warfare


ICACS Calls you to service!!

AF ... RO ... GA ... LA

So I heard that something epic was approaching!

Oh yeah, AFROGALA 2011 - Beautiful Warfare is on its way! (If you hadn't heard I don't quite know where you could have been hiding)

Mission AG.11 preparations are as intense as ever with 5 weeks to go until the big show - if you aren't already, now is the time to get excited!!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=282936636303

Here are some lovely ladies displaying the moves they learnt for last years Afrogala at the Chop Chop After Partay!


Let's show people how ICACS do!

On a final note, I wish you all a Happy New Year and hope 2011 brings everyone the success they deserve

ACS Love
Kem

Over And Out!

Merry Christmas from ICACS

It's almost the end of term (yayyyy!!)
I know everyone's tired and tryna make deadlines and stuff.. but the end is in sight!!!

I really hope you guys have enjoyed the events we've put on this year.. Paintballing, Chop Chop, Movie Night, "ACS Says...", Banking Symposium, Fela etc etc.. we've got to meet a lot of cool peoples through them and putting them on was a lot of fun too (slyly stressful at times too, not gonna lie lol)

The Christmas dinner yday was most definitely another success.. here are some of the pics

Have a beaurrriful Christmas and come back refreshed y'all!

Thank you sooooo much to all of you who've been putting the work in for AFROGALA.. it is much appreciated and AG.11 is most definitely gonna be one to remember!
Just don't forget all we've taught you over Christmas lol

ACS Christmas squeezes
Emma xx

On a serious note...

So I know I'm always on here with some crazy post about ICACS.. but it has occurred to me that I haven't been emphasising the success of our careers events as much (you should know I'm writing this when I should be revising my haematology lectures. Ironic..? Maybe so.)

So during Back to Black week, (which if I never told you, was h'amazingggg, 'Best of B2B Week' video is on its way) we had a careers convention. We invited SEO and Rare recruitment to come down, and a really good number of people came down to sign up and appreciate these organisations' advice and services. This was early on in the year (21st October) so I think it set the pace for our more career-centred events nicely.

A few weeks ago, around a dozen representatives from Bank of America Merril Lynch came down for a Banking Symposium. This event was actually one of my favourites of the year so far. The students split up into teams and each team had a representative from Merril Lynch guiding them through a quiz. No doubt this provided the perfect opportunity for people to network with real bankers and ask them real questions face to face! The event was more than successful and should definitely become a part ICACS tradition.

Then yesterday, Uche Ezichi of Aceeva - an organisation created to teach students how to confidently grab opportunities when they arise - gave an inspirational talk about how to turn a networking opportunity into an interview opportunity. I personally appreciated the realness of his talk and how practical all his advice was.

One thing that our careers events have done really well is brought non-members to ICACS. It's really nice to see people who aren't African or Caribbean and people who aren't from Imperial accepting our invitations and learning a little bit about what ICACS is all about.

So.. no doubt there will be a lot more events this year so keep your eyes open!

ACS hand-shakes,
Emma xx

Crowned winners of the Overseas Committee Basketball Tournament!!!!

Tuesday 16th November... our Head of Marketing, Rasheed lead ICACS guys and girls as the captain, taking on all the other overseas committees at Imperial in the annual OSC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT




The excitement in Ethos was absolutely insane. The ladies played in the first game, setting the standard for ACS. Effie's glasses didn't make it out of the tournament in one piece but don't worry the president will buy you a new pair (Joram.. Make it happen!!). I'm so proud of the Freshers! They've settled into the ACS family ever so nicely!!!


Fast forward a few hours to the final.. and ACS faces the Chinese Society to win. The game was very close, both teams hustled for that title! 
At the end of the first half, the scores were tied. ACS was not messing about at all! People were getting hungry for that win. One minute before the end of the game, we were up 10-6, and it was looking good for us.


3 seconds before the buzzer: Mr Webmaster, Kem gets the ball and dribbles towards the hoop with no opposition. Like the absolute don he is, he ends the tournament so beautifully with a lay-up on the buzzer!


Okay, this isn't Kem, it's Micheal Jordan, but he was THAT serious! At this point, I could hear violins as he flew through the air in slow motion..I felt like I was watching Space Jam.


So ACS took the game, winning 12-6 :-D


Here's the winning team... it was so beautiful to see our older brothers coming to represent! Special shout out to Jimi, Iffy, John and Bolanle!!! 

And here are a few words from our captain...

Rasheed actually isn't wearing anything under that jacket, yes ladies be excited.


ACS love in massive abundance!!
Emma xx

AFROGALA AFROGALA AFROGALA

I'M SO FLIPPIN EXCITED IT'S UNHEALTHY.. palpitations and all sorts likee...

But seriously.. Afrogala rehearsals have begun and we're going in!!!
The title of the show is........


drumroll..................................

tap as you read this.. help me out guys......................................


BEAUTIFUL WARFARE

*fireworks* *bang bang* *explosion explosion*

We're working really hard to put on a good show and make ICACS proud!!

If you haven't got involved yet, its not too late.. dancing, singing, modelling, acting, backstage.. it's all going on!!!
Contact...
Tobi Obisanya for singing/band playing
Michelle Dinsey and Kem Onubogu for dancing
Rasheed Rabiu for acting
Emma Amoafo for modelling

Because I'm bias....
A model casting is being held on Wednesday 17th November at 12:00pm, Electrical Engineering Building, 4th floor concourse
Comeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Let us reminisce with last year's trailer...


ACS hugs and kisses
Emma xx