British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, recently hosted the prestigious Study UK Alumni Awards 2026 in Lahore, held at the Avari Hotel. The awards recognised the remarkable work and achievements of alumni of UK higher education institutions across various sectors.
Pakistan is among the select countries hosting a national-level Study UK Alumni Awards ceremony, a testament to the significant impact UK alumni has in the region. This year’s awards were attended by Jane Marriott, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, as the Chief Guest, along with James Hampson, Country Director, British Council Pakistan, Rebecca Walton, Secretary, Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust (CWPT), Sarah Berrisford, Study UK Senior Alumni Manager, representatives from UK universities, business leaders, and key influencers from diverse industries. The event was hosted by Omair Tahir Rana, a prominent Pakistani actor, theatre director, and producer, and featured an energetic musical performance by Natasha Baig, a renowned Pakistani singer and songwriter.
The ceremony celebrated the achievements of UK-educated professionals across four award categories: the Business and Innovation Award, the Science and Sustainability Award, the Social Action Award, and the Culture, Creativity and Sport Award.
James Hampson, Country Director, British Council Pakistan, said: “The Study UK Alumni Awards finalists from Pakistan reflect the powerful role of British higher education in driving positive change and strengthening connections between our two countries.”
The Science and Sustainability Award recognises distinguished alumni in the field of science and sustainability who have demonstrated the impact and scale of their achievements in their profession and beyond. The award was presented to Dr Nadia Nawaz Qadri, an alumna of the University of Essex. Rising from a remote village in Sindh, Dr Qadri is now a Professor of Computer Engineering at COMSATS University Islamabad and the founding lead of the Centre for Innovation in Networks, Telecom and AI. With over two decades of experience, extensive publications, and U.S. patents, her work advances engineering education, applied research, and women empowerment in STEM across Pakistan. The finalists for this category were Dr Gulbeena Saleem from the University of Glasgow and Shaheena Salman Alwani from the University of the West of Scotland.
The Business and Innovation Award is bestowed upon alumni who are active in initiating and contributing to innovative ideas, solutions, or business opportunities with strong potential for growth and impact. The award was presented to Dr Murtaza Najabat Ali, an alumnus of the University of Sheffield. Dr Ali is a leading medical device researcher, educator, and manufacturer working across Pakistan and the USA. He is the recipient of a Prime Minister’s Office mandate to establish Pakistan’s first state-owned medical device industry, through which he secured approximately PKR 1,500 million in funding from the federal government and international funding bodies. He pioneered Pakistan’s first state-owned and private medical device industry and established the country’s Biomedical Engineering programme. Through research, teaching, and manufacturing, he continues to shape the next generation of engineers and medical technology leaders. The finalists for this category were Mohsin Masood Malik from the University of Northampton and Shabeer Ahmed from the University of Aberdeen.
The Social Action Award honours alumni who have made an exceptional contribution to positive social change and the improvement of lives in their communities. The award was presented to Aon Abbas Bukhari, a Chevening Scholar and alumnus of the University of Surrey. Serving as Special Secretary (Operations) in Punjab’s Health & Population Department, Aon leads disability inclusion reforms by integrating services, expanding treatment access for over 38,000 children, training providers, and supporting caregivers. Inspired by his UK education, he is committed to scaling rights-based disability inclusion nationally for children with disabilities in Pakistan. The finalists for this category were Mariam Zahid Malik from the University of Liverpool and Zile Huma from the University of Oxford.
The Culture, Creativity and Sport Award celebrates alumni who have made outstanding contributions to cultural expression, creative industries, or sport, using their influence to inspire communities and foster inclusive participation. The award was presented to Dr Sauleha Kamal, an alumna of the University of Cambridge. Dr Sauleha is an internationally published writer, cultural critic, and scholar, her work has reached millions of readers worldwide through leading global publications. She is a Chevening and Cambridge Trust Scholar, and recipient of prestigious literary fellowships and awards. Dr Sauleha continues to shape global literary discourse while amplifying voices from South Asia. The finalists for this category were Zaara Khadija Abbas from Cardiff Metropolitan University and Shahrukh Sohail from the University of East London.
The winners of the Study UK Alumni Awards in Pakistan will gain enhanced visibility, networking opportunities, and avenues for professional growth. All national winners and finalists also stand a chance to be selected as global winners, who will then be invited to the UK for a special networking visit, engaging with key stakeholders and fellow awardees.