Study UK Award winners

Business and Innovation Award, Ghana

King Wellington, who completed his MBA in International Business in 2021, is a business strategist and communications expert. Returning to Ghana after his studies, he co-founded DONE BY US, a consultancy firm dedicated to providing tailored solutions for business and organisations seeking to thrive in Ghana’s dynamic market, and the Africa Street MBA. Through this, he has trained and empowered over 7000 young people across Ghana and equipped them with the skills and confidence to grow their own businesses.

Science and Sustainability Award, Singapore

After Stephanie Liaw completed her UK degree, she carried with her a commitment to expanding equitable energy access shaped by her childhood in Malaysia. Currently, Stephanie works as Energy Sector Lead at Mott MacDonald Singapore. Here, she has led first‑of‑its‑kind regional interconnector initiatives supporting Singapore’s 2030 Green Plan, working on projects with the potential to power 750,000 homes and significantly cut CO₂ emissions. She also collaborated with the UK FCDO on a modelling framework that strengthened cross‑border energy planning.

Business and Innovation Award, Brazil

After Mayra Souza completed her master’s degree at the University of Birmingham, she carried with her not only academic knowledge but the confidence and global mindset that transformed her career. Leaving her small hometown in Brazil, she self‑funded her studies in the UK. Her career progressed rapidly: she was relocated to Belgium, later moved into government affairs, and ultimately contributed to high‑level discussions shaping the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, representing a €46 billion chemical trade sector and safeguarding jobs during major trade disputes. She has since championed sustainable and equitable global policies, presenting recommendations at the WTO Public Forum, contributing to G20 India W20 and Brazil B20, and receiving invitations from WTO, ICC, and UNCTAD to speak at COP29. A mentor, guest lecturer and advocate for women in trade, she has been featured by global organisations.

Culture and Creativity Award, Bangladesh

After completing his PhD at the Shakespeare Institute and the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham, Shahman Moishan returned to Bangladesh with a transformed understanding of theatre, creativity and performance research, an experience that has shaped his career as an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Dhaka. His practice‑based doctoral work on Shakespearean creativity in Bangladesh opened doors to new artistic and academic opportunities, leading him to devise and direct the acclaimed experimental production Birangona Kabya, celebrated for its innovative use of technology and contemporary theatrical idioms. His expertise has since been recognised across Bangladesh’s cultural landscape, with invitations to deliver lectures, lead workshops, and present at major events, including Uttorsuri’s annual lecture at Bangla Academy. Internationally, his PhD production Shattered Faces of Piyar Ali was selected for the Verona Shakespeare Fringe Festival, earning media attention across Europe and Bangladesh.

Social Action Award, China

After Shenshou Zhang completed his master’s degree at the University of Birmingham, the experience reshaped his understanding of public welfare and inspired his life’s mission to expand opportunities for young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. He rebuilt his future through self‑study, earning dual bachelor’s degrees before rising through nine roles at S.F. Express, where he created a scholarship programme that helped more than 3,000 impoverished students attend university. Guided by his Birmingham dissertation on sustainable social mobility, he went on to establish the Shanghai YZL Foundation, which now provides career development, capability‑building programmes, and social‑engagement opportunities for students from underdeveloped regions, serving more than 100,000 young people across China.

Business and Innovation Award, Indonesia

After completing her business studies in the UK, Redita Utomo returned to Indonesia with the confidence and entrepreneurial drive that shaped her path as CEO of Merapi Park. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family ignited her passion for business and her experiences at the University of Birmingham deepened her understanding of innovation, leadership and community‑focused enterprise. Inspired by a lack of public open spaces in her hometown, she and her siblings founded Merapi Park in 2017—a pioneering recreational destination transforming unused land into vibrant picnic grounds, educational attractions, and family‑friendly facilities. The park has welcomed over 500,000 visitors, boosted local employment, empowered women in leadership and strengthened the regional economy by prioritising local hiring and suppliers. Her commitment to preserving local wisdom while driving economic growth has earned Merapi Park national recognition.

Business and Innovation Award, Kazakhstan

After earning her MSc in Chemistry from the University of Birmingham, where her research on the total synthesis of dictyoxetane was praised by examiners as publication‑ready, Aliya Sembayeva had a desire to bring world‑class research culture and scientific management practices back to Kazakhstan. Alongside her studies, she founded the Kazakhstan PhD Association in the UK, which grew into a global platform connecting researchers, industry leaders and policymakers, and through its Central Asian Research Forum brought together more than 4,000 participants from eight countries, work that earned her a place on Forbes 30 Under 30 for Science and Technology. Her leadership led to the creation of a new national innovation body, and today, as CEO of the Centre for Scientific and Technological Initiatives Ltd, she drives the scientific and technological development of Kazakhstan, continuing to champion integrity, innovation and the transformative impact of UK research training.

Social Action Award, Egypt

After completing his Master’s degree at the University of Birmingham, where he focused his research on the education of marginalised groups in Africa, Mohamed Moamen returned home to Egypt and was inspired by refugees to join Save the Children, where he serves as the Senior Refugees and Migrants Program Manager, leading programmes that have supported more than 100,000 refugee and Egyptian children, with a portfolio exceeding USD 30 million. He established the Africa Hope Foundation in 2019, an initiative dedicated to reducing school drop‑out rates by providing vision screening and eyeglasses to children in underserved communities. Despite pandemic challenges, the foundation has screened over 50,000 students, supported 2,500 with eyeglasses, and mobilised more than 150 volunteers across Egypt, Tanzania and South Sudan. His humanitarian leadership has earned national and regional recognition, including invitations to speak at the World Youth Forum in Sharm El‑Sheikh and on South Sudanese television.

Business and Innovation Award, Mauritius

After earning a full‑fees scholarship to study Biochemistry at the University of Birmingham, Noorie Karimbocus discovered the confidence and intellectual curiosity that would shape her future. Moving from Mauritius to the UK transformed her trajectory: she thrived in Birmingham’s supportive, research‑rich environment, graduated top of her class, and was named Student of the Year. Encouraged by her professors, she became the first Mauritian to pursue a PhD in human stem cell biology at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, before returning home to dedicate her career to service and innovation. She joined the African Leadership University as a faculty member, where she revolutionised research supervision and taught courses in Data and Decisions, Mathematics, and Research Methods.