The Study UK Alumni Awards celebrate international alumni of UK universities who have made outstanding contributions in their home countries and beyond —from tackling social inequality to leading climate action. Among this year’s finalists are 32 Chevening alumni who are making a real difference in their communities and fields.
Daulet Yermanov | Kazakhstan
University of Warwick
Warwick graduate Daulet Yermanov is revolutionising pharmaceutical operations in Kazakhstan with AI solutions recognised across global markets.
Ebrahim | Myanmar
City, University of London
Ebrahim revolutionised digital banking in Myanmar by digitising key banking operations and expanding access to homeownership—driven by strategic insights from his UK business education.
Jaida Amer | Egypt
University of Edinburgh
Jaida played a key role in Egypt’s first Samurai bonds and now advises major public-private deals as a financial strategist at Grant Thornton.
Munojat Sultonova | Uzbekistan
Birkbeck, University of London
Munojat Sultonova empowers women and youth in Uzbekistan through education, language training, and leadership development.
Saqib Tariq | Pakistan
University of Glasgow
Chevening scholar Saqib Tariq pioneered Pakistan’s first green bond, using his Glasgow training to drive sustainable finance and job creation.
Sarah Kuponiyi | Nigeria
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Sarah Kuponiyi is tackling period poverty through social enterprise, education, and global health advocacy.
Ahmed Elsharkawi | Egypt
Royal Holloway, University of London
Ahmed has produced over 600 hours of Arabic TV content and led Netflix’s Arabic Series team, bringing powerful regional stories to global audiences, while mentoring rising talent and championing women’s voices in the industry.
Amir Elshenawy | Egypt
Goldsmiths, University of London
Award-winning filmmaker Amir uses documentary to spotlight social and environmental issues, with films screened globally and at COP28.
Cherubim Amenyedor | Ghana
Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
Cherubim Amenyedor is driving Ghana’s digital transformation through award-winning campaigns and youth mentorship in tech.
Layla Al-Kloub | Jordan
SOAS, University of London
BBC journalist and SOAS graduate Layla Al-Kloub uses powerful storytelling to humanise Middle East politics and amplify underrepresented voices.
Panisa Aemocha | Thailand
City, University of London
A BBC Thai senior journalist, Panisa has redefined financial reporting with viral, accessible stories and data-led investigations reaching millions.
Rehab Ismail | Egypt
University College London
Rehab reports for BBC World Service and has trained over 500 Arab journalists, advancing ethical storytelling and fighting misinformation.
Shanzay Subzwari | Pakistan
London Metropolitan University
Artist Shanzay Subzwari blends tradition with innovation, bridging fine art, fashion, and cultural commentary across borders.
Alessandra Maria de Albuquerque Reis | Brazil
University of Westminster
Alessandra transformed Curitiba’s approach to urban sustainability and smart city planning after her UK studies, leading award-winning initiatives and embedding global innovation practices in local governance.
Chul Kim | Korea
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Chul reformed Korea’s regional development strategy and pioneered an AI-driven fraud detection tool after dual master’s degrees in the UK, earning a national service medal and OECD recognition for public innovation.
Deborah Fadeyi | Nigeria
Cardiff University (Prifysgol Caerdydd)
Deborah Fadeyi is transforming rural energy access in Nigeria through engineering innovation, policy leadership, and youth empowerment.
Dina Zhanadil | Kazakhstan
University of Manchester
Manchester-trained finance expert Dina Zhanadil leads ESG and climate finance reform as a top executive at Kazakhstan’s national development bank.
Isabella Quagliato Nogueira | Brazil
Queen Mary, University of London
Isabella co-authored the world’s most comprehensive report on youth mental health as part of The Lancet Psychiatry Commission, leveraging her UK training to elevate mental health discourse and policy worldwide.
Khine Pwint Nwe | Myanmar
University of Leeds
Founder of Z-waka, Dr Nwe has brought digital medical education to over 40,000 healthcare workers across Southeast Asia, transforming access to care through tech.
Mustafa Hashem | Jordan
University of Edinburgh
Energy strategist Mustafa Hashem is shaping Jordan’s climate policy and amplifying youth voices globally through COP and SDG initiatives.
Amira Mohamed | Egypt
University of Sussex
Egyptian MP and Sussex alum Amira Mohamed is transforming policy through progressive legislation on AI, climate, and food waste rooted in her UK education.
Anelize Almeida | Brazil
University of Oxford
Anelize, now Attorney-General of Brazil’s National Treasury, used her Oxford MPP to reposition the PGFN as a key fiscal policymaker, advancing diversity initiatives and legal reforms impacting over 2 million cases and 30% of the nation’s GDP.
Anuoluwapo Adelakun | Nigeria
University of Sussex
Investigative journalist Anuoluwapo Adelakun uses documentary filmmaking to expose corruption and drive policy reform across Nigeria.
Chan Aye | Myanmar
Durham University
Chan founded an educational social enterprise amid political unrest in Myanmar, mentoring youth in scholarship access and English education, even while imprisoned, and continues to lead national academic empowerment efforts.
Helyn Thami da Silva | Brazil
University of Birmingham
Helyn led the technical response behind Brazil’s largest pandemic management platform, reaching over 1,000 municipalities and 20 million people, applying skills gained during her UK-based healthcare policy education.
Maria Júlia Poletine Advincula | Brazil
University of Sussex
Maria Júlia, a legal advocate and survivor of domestic abuse, launched a national NGO supporting gender violence survivors after her UK master’s, influencing public policy and mobilising a global volunteer network.
Nermine Abdelkader | Egypt
SOAS, University of London
Through her organisation Misryati, Nermine has delivered peace education to thousands across Egypt, tackling gender violence and promoting inclusion.
Priscilla Adjei-Mensah | Ghana
Swansea University (Prifysgol Abertawe)
Priscilla Adjei-Mensah is revolutionising student wellbeing in African schools through inclusive, evidence-based mental health programs.
Raju Kendre | India
SOAS, University of London
Raju founded Eklavya India Foundation, which has helped over 1,500 marginalised students access global universities and secure major scholarships.
Samar Al-Mutawakel | Egypt
University of Leeds
At WHO, Dr Al-Mutawakel leads emergency health responses and has built a regional network strengthening preparedness across 54 African nations.
Sanhapan Wattanapisit | Thailand
University of Southampton
Sanhapan pioneered palliative care in rural Thailand, building services that now support over 100,000 residents and train local providers.
Shamsin Ahmed | Bangladesh
University of Edinburgh
Mental health advocate Shamsin Ahmed leveraged her Edinburgh degree to scale Bangladesh’s first youth-led psychosocial support network reaching millions.
In Sri Lanka, fewer than 1% of filmmakers behind the camera are women. This reality means many perspectives remain unseen, but Chevening alumna Lanka Bandaranayake is rewriting that script.
For millions of people in low-income countries, access to quality healthcare remains a challenge. Dr. Samson Oboche Agbo, a Chevening alumnus and public health expert, is working to change that.
For many communities in Botswana, access to essential resources and opportunities remains a challenge. Yet, one woman is changing the narrative. Through her relentless commitment to social entrepreneurship and community development, Chevening alumna Kagiso Madibana is not just talking about change; she's making it happen.