The British Council is pleased to announce the eighth year of its Study UK Alumni Awards programme celebrating the outstanding achievements of UK alumni around the world.
The awards are open to alumni currently residing in any country outside the UK, who have either studied in the UK, at an officially recognised provider of UK university degree level study for a minimum of a term or semester, or who have been awarded a full UK degree level qualification (or higher), by a UK university through a local institution overseas, within the last 15 years.
The awards winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, industries, and countries.
This year’s award categories include science and sustainability, business and innovation, creativity and culture, and social action.
The call for applications opens on 1 September 2021 and closes on 29 October 2021. All eligible applicants will be put forward for the global Alumni Awards and national Alumni Awards, hosted in participating countries.
The finalists and winners of the global Alumni Awards will be announced in 2022 and celebrated in a digital campaign that will raise the profile of their stories and successes. Award winners have the opportunity to grow their international profile, expand their professional networks, and enhance their careers through a professional networking visit to the UK (Subject to Covid-19 restrictions at the time).
In addition to the global awards, the British Council in Viet Nam will also host a ceremony for national winners. Finalists for the national awards will be announced in January 2022. The British Council will hold the ceremony in February 2022, with activities to celebrate and develop opportunities for winners with support from Forbes Vietnam in 2022.
Speaking about the Study UK Alumni Awards 2021, Ms Donna McGowan, Director of the British Council in Vietnam emphasised: ‘I am glad to share that this is the second year that the British Council in Vietnam organises a national award for UK alumni in Viet Nam, along with the global awards. This programme is a golden opportunity for us to celebrate the outstanding achievements that UK alumni have contributed to the development of Viet Nam through what they have learned and experienced from the UK education. I also believe that the awards will also give the winners the chance to continue developing and thriving in their career and area of expertise.’
Being the previous winner of Study UK Alumni Awards in Social Impact, Hoang Le Thuy Duong, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) alumni, shared: ‘The award brought me a lot of nostalgia because I had the opportunity to recall and cherish the abiding memories from my social activities.’ She added: ‘This award has helped me to raise my profile with the public, created more trust, helped my voice to resonate and increase my influence, impact to others. Especially this helped to call for more donors to join hands and together create many meaningful activities for the community and society.’
Information on the eligibility and how to apply for the awards can be found on the website: https://www.britishcouncil.vn/en/study-uk/alumni-awards-2022 . Follow the Alumni Awards on Study UK Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
For a list of previous Alumni Award winners, see below:
Notes to editors
Alumni Award categories
The award categories will change as of 2021-2022 to:
- Science and Sustainability Award
Recognising alumni who have distinguished themselves through their career and achievements in the world of science and sustainability, and who can demonstrate the impact and scale of their achievements in their profession, and beyond. Areas of work could include: Climate action, clean energy, medicine, sustainable cities and communities, engineering, industry and construction.
- Culture and Creativity Award
Recognising alumni who have carved a career for themselves in arts and culture. We are looking for individuals who can demonstrate their artistic ingenuity, influence and creativity. Areas of work could include: Arts, design, media, video, TV, music, bloggers, vloggers, Youtubers and the humanities.
- Social Action Award
Recognising alumni who have made an exceptional contribution and commitment to creating positive social change and improving the lives of others. Areas of work could include: Reducing inequality, poverty and hunger. Education and upskilling. Peace and justice.
- Business and Innovation Award
Recognising alumni who are active in initiating and contributing to innovative or creative new ideas, solutions or business opportunities, that have the potential for growth. Areas of work could include: Entrepreneurship, business, technology.