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The Study UK Alumni Awards

The Study UK Alumni Awards is an annual awards programme organised by the British Council which recognise and honour outstanding achievements from alumni from around the world who have leveraged their UK education to make a difference in their professions, communities, and countries.  

The award categories include Business and Innovation, Culture and Creativity, Science and Sustainability or Social Action. 

Congratulations to our 2026 winners:

Dr Yang Li

Dr Yang Li resizedDr Yang Li, a Durham University alumnus and Associate Professor at Peking University, has received a prestigious British Council Study UK Alumni Award, recognising his outstanding scientific achievements and global impact. 

Read more on his story here.

 

 

 

Yuk Chi Chan

Yuk Chi Chan sat on a stool with his arms clasped wearing a white shirt and dark trousersYuk Chi Chan (Law, College of St Hild and St Bede, 2016-2019), has been named the United States national winner for Business and Innovation at the prestigious British Council Study UK Alumni Awards, recognising his entrepreneurial leadership and impact on the global space sector. Yuk Chi came to Durham after serving with the Singapore Army Engineers, choosing to study law at Durham because of its reputation for academic excellence and its distinctive collegiate experience. 

Read more on his story here.

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Congratulations to our 2026 finalists

  • Dr Mohammad Alshehri, Business and Innovation Award, Qatar (Ustinov College, Computer Science, 2018-24)
  • Adnan Ahsan Khan, Culture, Creativity and Sport Award, Pakistan (International Trade & Commercial Law, St Mary’s College, 2011-2013)
  • Barbara Ackonor, Business and Innovation Award, Ghana (Economics and Finance ,Ustinov College, 2013-14)
  • Dr Ho Nam, Science and Sustainability Award, Vietnam (Business Administration, St Aidan’s College, 2020)
  • Dr Jitendra Thakur, Science and Sustainability Award, India (Geography, St Aidan’s College, 2010-16)
  • Asligul Armagan, Culture, Creativity and Sport Award, USA (Arts Combined, Hatfield College, 2012-15)

Previous Study UK Alumni Award winners

  • 2025 - Barry Solaiman, Science and Sustainability Award, Qatar (LLM International Trade & Commercial Law, Grey College, 2011-12)
  • 2025 - Zarqa Parvez , Social Action Award, Qatar (PhD Government & International Affairs, University College, 2017-22)
  • 2024 - Tanvir Ahmad, Social Action Award, Pakistan (Engineering, St Aidan's College, 2017)
  • 2024 -Tara Subba, Social Action Award, Indonesia (Philosophy and Politics, St Mary's College, 2016)
  • 2023 - Lynna Halilou, Business and Innovation Award, USA (International Relations, Van Mildert College, 2010-13)
  • 2023 - Sugandha Yadav, Social Action Award, India (Law, St Mary's College, 2014-17) 

Slim purple line separatorFind out more about the Study UK Alumni Awards here.