British council invites applications for UK Alumni Awards 2024; apply till October 22

NEW DELHI: The British Council, the United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities, has invited applications for the 10th edition of Study UK Alumni Awards programme. Those who have completed their higher education from UK-based institutes can apply for the awards till October 22.

The council said the awards honours accomplishments made by alumni of UK universities. Candidates can apply in four categories – science and sustainability, culture and creativity, social Action and business and innovation. Aspirants can visit at study-uk.britishcouncil.org for details on how to apply, application process and eligibility criteria.

Eligible applicants will compete on both the global as well as national stages of the awards. The finalists of the awards will be announced in December 2023 or January 2024. The winners in the national stage of the awards will be awarded in March 2024.

Candidates should have studied at a recognised provider of UK university degree-level study for a minimum of a term or semester. Alternatively, they should have received a full UK degree-level qualification (or higher) from a UK university within the last 15 years.

Candidates felicitated with the awards will gain a chance to boost their international profiles, expand professional networks, and enrich careers with a professional networking visit to the UK, the council added.

Study Abroad: 1,200 applicants in 2022

The council said over 1,200 applicants of 100 countries had applied for the UK Alumni Awards 2023. Last year, the applicants represented over 120 education institutions of the UK.

In the national stage of the award, Abhinav Sinha of University of Glasgow won the science and sustainability award. Puja Changoiwala Winner of University of Westminster won the culture and creativity award while Sugandha Yadav of Durham University bagged the social action award The business and innovation award was bagged by Saumya Singh of University of Manchester.

The council added that the UK has been one of the most popular study destinations for Indian students for several years. As per the UK Home Office data, a total of 1,42,848 sponsored study visas were granted to Indians in the year ending June 2023, an increase of about 54% compared to the previous year.

Also Read | Study Abroad: UK has granted 1,42,848 study visas to Indians in 2023, an increase of 54%

Rittika Chanda Parruck, director education, British Council India, said, “Through the Study UK Alumni Awards, we recognise the exceptional achievements of UK alumni from around the world. The awards not only celebrate their contributions but also underscore the enduring value of a UK higher education. We invite all eligible alumni to apply and share their inspiring stories with us.”