The four awardees of the Education UK Alumni Awards 2016 in Saudi Arabia were announced at a gala award ceremony hosted last night by Simon Collis, British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Hani Choudhry was awarded the Professional Achievement Award, Dr. Fawaz A. Saad won the Entrepreneurial achievement Award and Dr. Abdullah Al Fraidan won the Social Impact Award at a ceremony held at the British Embassy in Riyadh. The awards were organized by the British Council with support of the British Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Tamara Talal Tayeb was presented with the UK Alumni Ambassador Award for 2016 for her achievements in public health sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, HMA Simon Collis said, “Education has the power to transform lives. The winners of this year’s Education UK Alumni Awards clearly demonstrate how a UK education can produce outstanding individuals who possess the competitive edge to thrive in a global job market. As we mark a century of diplomatic relations between the UK and Saudi Arabia, I would like to thank all UK alumni in Saudi Arabia for their important contribution to strengthening ties between our two countries.”
Charlie Walker, Director British Council Saudi Arabia said, “I am delighted that this year we are able to recognise for the first time in Saudi Arabia the achievements of those who have used their studies to outstanding effect in their professional lives, implementing the knowledge and skills they acquired in the UK to positive effect in the Kingdom. We look forward to seeing more of you in 2017.”
The Education UK Alumni Awards 2016 in Saudi Arabia received over 100 applications out of which 10 finalists were selected through a competitive process. The awards were presented by Dr Lubna al Ansary, Shoura member and UK alumni, Vic Annells, Head UK Trade and Investment in Saudi Arabia, and The Rt Hon. the Baroness Neville-Jones DCMG.
The awards aim to demonstrate the impact that a UK education can have upon individuals in countries around the world, as well as to inspire others to reach their potential by studying in the UK. This year the awards were held in 10 countries — Brazil, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the USA.
At the awards ceremony in Riyadh, all three winners of the Education UK Alumni Awards Saudi Arabia said their UK education was transformational, expanding their vision and equipping them with the skills that are crucial to their success and careers.
All UK alumni who have returned to Saudi Arabia after completing their higher education studies in the UK, and graduated within the last ten years were eligible to apply or be nominated for this award. The Education UK Alumni Awards, created by the British Council in partnership with UK higher education institutions, are intended to recognise outstanding success in Professional Achievement, Entrepreneurial Achievement and Social Impact by people who have studied at UK higher education institutions over the last ten years.
Quotes from the winners:
Dr. Hani Choudhry recipient of the Professional Achievement Award, said that his time in the University of Oxford gave him an opportunity to work with leading figures in cancer research who had a great impact on his understanding and intellectual capabilities in cancer research. According to Hani, “the interaction among professors and classmates enhanced his critical thinking and broadened his vision – crucial in developing his skills as a researcher.” Dr Choudhury is the head of the Cancer Biology Unit at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah.
The Entrepreneurial Award recipient was presented to Dr. Fawaz A. Saad. ‘’I started to find myself in Cardiff University Student Union, participated a lot in its ‘Lifelong learning center’ as well as some other courses in professional leadership certification” From the competitions organized by Cardiff university I got to know Entrepreneurship for the first time! I was delighted to know that your innovative research could be transformed into a start-up! From that day I started so many activities among 14,000 Saudi Students living in the UK between (2008-2011). I organized more than 120 scientific, social and training events. I founded MVRmedia.net with other 2 friends as a social entrepreneurship project which is recognized by all Saudi Students worldwide and it is still up and running. I also co-founded Excellence Entrepreneurship Centre with another 2 friends. We rained more than 2000 Saudi students in the UK about Business model generation” Said Fawaz.
Dr. Abdullah Al Fraidan, winner of the Social Impact Award, says that his time at University of Essex allowed him to “fully realize my passion. I am trying to apply all the things I learned from my UK life for 5 years. This was reflected on my social life and also my work life. When I was studying, I was heading the Saudi Society at Essex University and from there I started helping hundreds of students to get settled down in Colchester and to help them get enrolled in Essex and other universities. The challenging multicultural environment honed my confidence and developed persistence and courage that make me who I am today”.
Dr. Abdullah Al Fraidan currently is the Dean of eLearning and Distance Education at King Faisal University.
