Three international alumni of UK universities won global awards at British Council’s fourth Study UK Alumni Awards. It is the first time the awards have been open to alumni in every country outside the UK.
The winners, from Sri Lanka, Colombia and the Philippines, were chosen ahead of more than 1,700 other applicants from 123 countries from more than 140 UK Higher Education Institutions.
The awards, divided into three categories, highlight outstanding achievement and showcase the impact and value of completing higher education in the UK.
“I look forward to strengthening our capacity to exchange films between countries”
The three award categories included Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurial, and Social Impact.
Film maker Baby Ruth Villarama from the Philippines was awarded the Social Impact prize for her films about issues such as human trafficking and slavery.
Asha de Vos, a marine biologist from Sri Lanka who studied at the University of St Andrews and the University of Oxford, won the Professional Achievement category. She is the founder of Sri Lanka’s first marine conservation research and education organisation, Oceanswell.
Colombian José Ignacio Valenzuela and City, University of London alumnus picked up the Entrepreneurial award for his work. According to judges, his contribution to Health Informatics is changing the way Spanish-speaking communities around the world can access necessary healthcare.
Commenting on her win, Villarama dedicated the award to the more than 10 million migrant Filipinos who “are working hard in different countries around the world”.
“We have started a good revolution using films like Sunday Beauty Queen to raise the voice of migrant workers who are contributing so much to countries they work for,” the Birmingham City University and Chevening Alumna said.
“I look forward to strengthening our capacity to exchange films between countries, and providing a hub for more storytellers in the region.”
The global winners will be invited to the UK for a professional networking visit in September, to coincide with the launch of the Alumni Awards 2019.
