Celebrating the achievements of alumni in Kazakhstan
On 28 February 2023, the British Council in Kazakhstan announced the winners and finalists at its 5th Study UK Alumni Awards Ceremony at the Residence of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan Kathy Leach.
The event was attended by a number of high level guests, including Baroness Emma Nicholson, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Kazakhstan; and His Excellency Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education; as well as AIFC Governor Mr Renat Bekturov, Global Winner Study UK Alumni Awards 2022; Director of the British Council in Kazakhstan, Eric Lawrie; and chairmen of organisations supporting alumni of governmental scholarships: Mr Olzhas Sakenov, Chairman of the Centre for International Programmes which funds the Bolashak scholarships, and Mr Daniyar Mukitanov, the Chairman of the Chevening Alumni Association in Kazakhstan.
The British Council marked the ninth year of this prestigious award, celebrating the outstanding achievements of the UK’s international alumni around the world and holding ceremonies in 18 countries.
The Study UK Alumni Awards are open to alumni living anywhere outside of the UK. Award 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. The Study UK Alumni Awards celebrate and showcase the impact and value of a UK higher education and raise the international profile of UK alumni and their former universities.
This year, the awards were 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.
There were four award categories:
- 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.
- 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 and finance.
- Special Ambassador’s Award – To be presented in Kazakhstan instead of the Culture and Creativity Award to recognise alumni who have distinguished themselves through exemplary leadership and achievements in their professional field and who can demonstrate the impact and scale of their achievements in their profession and beyond.
Prizes
In Kazakhstan all the finalists received a certificate and the winner in each category also received a trophy and a prize of up to £2,000 for a professional development opportunity of their choice.
The benefits of winning a prestigious Alumni Award also include the opportunity to:
- raise your international profile through global press and digital coverage
- build your professional networks and business connections
- win a professional networking visit to the UK if chosen to be one of four global winners.