British Council UAE Announces Winners For The Study UK Alumni Awards 2025

The British Council is proud to announce the fifth year of its Study UK Alumni Awards, recognising the outstanding achievements of UK alumni worldwide. Held at the British Council office in Dubai, these awards honour leaders who have leveraged their UK education to make significant contributions to their communities, industries, and countries.

This year’s categories include business and innovation, culture and creativity, science and sustainability, and social action.

Recognising the brilliant achievements of UK Alumni and their contributions, we would like to congratulate and highlight the winners of the 2024 – 2025 awards

The Science and Sustainability Award:Dr. Abdulrahim Sajini, a University of Cambridge alumnus, is a professor at Khalifa University leading cutting-edge stem cell research in the UAE. He established the country’s first stem cell lab and developed UAE001, the first Emirati-derived pluripotent stem cell line. With over AED 9.5 million in research funding, he is also a committed educator shaping the next generation of scientists. His time at Cambridge, home to two Nobel Prizes in stem cell research, gave him the critical tools and vision to now pursue the UAE’s first national stem cell bank.

The Business and Innovation Award:Mayank Varyani, An alumnus of King’s College London, is the General Manager of AngelSpark, the most active angel investor in MENA. In just over a year, he has led investments in 11 early-stage startups. His UK education equipped him with the strategic and cross-cultural thinking needed to bridge the region’s funding gap and support a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Culture and Creativity Award:Dr. Ally Zlatar, a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, is an artist, scholar, and founder of The Starving Artist initiative and scholarship fund. Her advocacy uses creative expression to address mental health, migration, and inequality. Recognised globally with awards including the Commonwealth Innovation Awards and The Princess Diana Legacy Award, she continues to empower marginalised communities through art that transcends borders.

The Social Action Award:Maryam Farooqi, an alumna of  City St George’s, University of London, Maryam leads MENA partnerships at the International Rescue Committee. She develops high-impact philanthropic alliances across the Gulf that support humanitarian efforts and social equity. Her legal education laid the foundation for a globally focused career committed to justice and human development.

We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of our 2025 finalists, whose exceptional work nearly claimed the top prize and exemplifies the spirit of these awards: Raneen Qarada and Somya Mehta in Culture & Creativity; Gowri Shankar Sivabala and Mina Nagy in Social Action; Akilan Raju and Dan Ehrald Samarita in Science & Sustainability; and Amritha Subhayan Krishnan and Hamna Zain in Business & Innovation. Their dedication, creativity, and impact remind us that each finalist embodies the vision and ambition that make the Study UK Alumni Awards such a powerful celebration of talent and leadership.

Acknowledging this year’s outstanding cohort of finalists and alumni, Martin Daltry, Country Director UAE at the British Council, commented:“The Alumni Awards are a celebration of the powerful, long-term impact of UK education. Each of our finalists and winners represents what’s possible when education empowers individuals to create positive change. From pioneering science to transformative social action, their achievements are a testament to the enduring connection between the UK and the UAE—built on shared values, innovation, and collaboration.”

Offering his congratulations and reinforcing the strength of the UK–UAE education partnership, Edward Hobart, HM Ambassador to the UAE, stated:“It’s a real pleasure to honour the winners and finalists of the 2025 Study UK Alumni Awards. A huge congratulations to all those recognised today! Their achievements demonstrate the real-world impact of a UK education—fostering innovation, advancing sustainability, and enriching societies through creativity and leadership. These awards reflect the deep and growing ties between the UK and the UAE, and the role our alumni play in shaping a more connected and prosperous future.”

Celebrating Past Alumni Winners

During the event, Martin Daltry, Country Director UAE, acknowledged the remarkable winners of the 2023 and 2024 Study UK Alumni Awards. The British Council is beyond pleased to recognise and celebrate the achievements of these distinguished alumni:

2024 Alumni Award Winners

• Business and Innovation Award: Abbie Hughes ( University of Southampton)
• Culture and Creativity Award: Ellen Landes (Leeds Beckett University)
• Science and Sustainability Award: Amit Swamy (The University of Hull)
• Social Action Award: Fadi Zaghmout (University of Sussex)

2023 Alumni Award Winners

• Business and Innovation Award: Linus Benjamin Bauer (City University of London)
• Culture and Creativity Award: Amanda Hamilton Rushforth ( Southampton University & Bournemouth University)
• Science and Sustainability Award: Muhammad Fareed (University of Birmingham & Queen Mary, University of London)
• Social Action Award: Mariam ElShatlawy (Oxford University & University of Leeds)

Communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing

The Study UK Alumni Awards 2025 ceremony in the UAE was honoured by the presence of esteemed guests including Edward Hobart, HM Ambassador to the UAE and Alison Hall, Deputy UK Consul General in Dubai, who joined us in celebrating the outstanding achievements of UK alumni. These awards reflect the global impact of a UK education and its power to equip individuals with the skills and perspectives needed to lead change in their fields and communities. Applications for the next edition of the awards open in September and are open to all UK alumni residing outside the UK—including graduates of UK transnational education programmes. For more details, visit our UAE website:https://www.britishcouncil.ae/en/study-uk/alumni-awards