The British Council recently announced the nine finalists for the Study UK Alumni Awards 2019-20 in Qatar. The finalists were selected for their important contribution to strengthening collaborative ties between the United Kingdom and Qatar.
The awards are hosted at a national level for the second time in Qatar, to celebrate the achievements of alumni across three award categories: Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurial and Social Impact.
Three award winners will be announced on 7 December during the annual Qatar-UK Alumni Networking Event, part of Qatar British Festival 2019. The ceremony will be hosted at Marsa Malaz Kempinski and sponsored by HSBC Qatar and AFG College with the University of Aberdeen.
The finalists under the Professional Achievement Award, which recognises alumni who have distinguished themselves through exemplary leadership in their professional field are:
- Dr Alla El Awaisi – graduate of University of Strathclyde and Robert Gordon University
- Dr Dena Ahmed Al-Thani – graduate of Queen Mary, University of London
- Dr Samar Aboulsoud – graduate of Cardiff University (Prifysgol Caerdydd)
The finalists of the Entrepreneurial Award, which highlights alumni who have played a leading role in innovation are:
- Khalifa Al Haroon – graduate of Anglia Ruskin University
- Nawar Almutlaq – graduate of Royal College of Art
- Vijay Sivasankaran – graduate of London Business School
The finalists of the Social Impact Award, which acknowledges alumni who have made an exceptional contribution to creating positive social change, are:
- Dr Rania Sawalhi – graduate of the University of Warwick
- Reema Al Merekhi – graduate of Newcastle University and Cardiff University
- Dr Sharifa Noaman Al Emadi – graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University
Sam Ayton, Country Director of the British Council in Qatar, said the remarkable individuals selected as finalists for the Study UK Alumni Awards in Qatar have all taken their UK education as a starting point to excel in their chosen careers and shape the world around them.
This year’s finalists are testimony not only to the diversity of UK alumni and their endeavours, but also to the transformative impact of a UK education. With more than 5000 alumni of UK education in Qatar, there is much to celebrate!’
Shortlisting of applications went through internal and external judging process. Internal judging panel included Toff Wahab, Head of Politics at the British Embassy Doha and Rawan Khir, Deputy Head of Programmes and Partnerships at British Council Qatar.
External judging panel included the following:
- HE Ajay Sharma, British Ambassador to Qatar
- Sam Ayton, British Council Country Director
- Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi, HSBC Qatar CEO
- Dr Sheikha Aisha Bint Faleh Al Thani, Founder and Chairperson of Al Faleh Education Holding
- Dr Khalid Mohamed Al Horr, Qatar Finance and Business Academy CEO
- Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad Al Thani, Managing Director of Business Development, Qatar Financial Centre Authority
- Machaille Al Nuaimi, President of Community Development, Qatar Foundation,
- Abdulla Al Mansoori, Director, Qatar Career Development Centre, Member of Qatar Foundation
- Dr Noha Aboueldahab, Global winner of Study UK Alumni Awards 2018-19 under the Professional Achievement category
The external moderation meeting was hosted by HSBC Qatar.
You can vote for your favourite inspirational story by nominating one of the finalists for the ‘People’s Choice Award’ online. Voting for your favourite inspiring story starts this Thursday, 28 November at 12 pm, local time.
For more information, contact Rawan Khir at [email protected]. You can also follow the global Study UK Alumni Awards on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Click here to read more about this year’s inspirational finalists.
