Study UK Alumni Awards in London

The three global winners of the Study UK Alumni Awards 2018 were presented with their awards by the British Council’s CEO, Sir Ciarán Devane, at a celebratory lunch at the British Council’s headquarters in London.

The three winners, from Colombia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines are visiting the UK to build their professional networks, expertise and respective careers in e-health, marine biology and filmmaking.

Global winner of the Professional Achievement category 2018 is Asha de Vos, a marine biologist from Sri Lanka who is passionate about conserving the world’s oceans. Asha is the founder of Oceanswell, Sri Lanka’s first marine conservation research and education organisation. Asha studied marine biology and biosciences at the University of St Andrews and the University of Oxford.

José Ignacio Valenzuela was awarded for Entrepreneurialism for his ground-breaking work in Health Informatics in Colombia and across Latin America. José Ignacio's work is changing the way Spanish-speaking communities around the world can access the vital healthcare that they need. José Ignacio studied health informatics at City, University of London.

The Social Impact award was awarded to Baby Ruth Villarama, an award-winning film maker from the Philippines. Baby Ruth’s films are generating national conversations and raising international awareness of modern day issues such as human trafficking and slavery. Baby Ruth studied film distribution and marketing at Birmingham City University, and is a Chevening Alumna.

The winners’ UK visit coincides with the launch of the Study UK Alumni Awards 2019 – open to recent alumni of UK universities living in any country outside the UK.

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, their former universities, and the whole of UK education. 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.