The British Council Egypt recently revealed the winners of the Study UK Alumni Awards 2025 during a ceremony held on 20 February 2025. The event, hosted by the British Ambassador to Egypt, Gareth Bayley, celebrated the accomplishments of Egyptian alumni who have excelled as business professionals, entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders, while also strengthening ties between the UK and Egypt.
The ceremony was attended by several distinguished figures, including representatives from the Egyptian higher education sector, university presidents, UK alumni, and other members of the community. Rawya Mansour, Founder and Chairwoman of RAMSCO Trade and Distribution, Ahmed Ghoniem, CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum, and Omar Samra, the first Egyptian to climb Mount Everest, had the honor of presenting awards during the ceremony.
Additionally, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, the UN Envoy for Financing Sustainable Development. As a graduate of a British university, Dr. Mohieldin was honored for his contributions to his local community and humanity. In an inspiring speech, Dr. Mohieldin reflected on how his time studying in the UK had shaped his life and goals.
Hany Sweilam, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, also attended the ceremony. In his speech, he praised the achievements of the awardees and reflected on the significant influence of UK university education on his career and personal growth. Similarly, Dr. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Universities, spoke about the valuable cooperation between Egypt and the UK in higher education and expressed appreciation for the honor given to distinguished Egyptian graduates of UK universities.
The Study UK Alumni Awards celebrate individuals who have leveraged their UK education to make a positive impact on their communities, industries, and countries. This year, over 1,300 alumni from nearly 100 countries applied for the awards, representing approximately 120 UK universities.
In the Business and Innovation category, the Business and Innovation Award was presented to Jaida Gamal, an alumna of the University of Edinburgh. Jaida, who works as a Financial Advisory Manager at Grant Thornton Egypt, has played a pivotal role in Egypt’s financial projects, including the issuance of Samurai bonds and securing financing for key infrastructure projects. Her significant contributions to Egypt’s asset monetization program with the International Finance Corporation further solidify her place as an industry leader.
The Culture and Creativity Award was awarded to Amir Elshenawy, an alumnus of Goldsmiths, University of London. Elshenawy is an acclaimed Egyptian documentary filmmaker known for his award-winning works. His debut feature film Kilo 64 premiered at the Cairo International Film Festival in 2018 and earned multiple nominations, including Best Arab Film. Elshenawy, who graduated with a Master’s in Screen Documentary, is also a faculty member at the American University in Cairo (AUC) and Misr International University (MIU), teaching filmmaking to the next generation of creators.
In the Science and Sustainability category, the Science and Sustainability Award was presented to Dr. Ahmed Osama Dawoud, an alumnus of London South Bank University. Dr. Dawoud, an Assistant Professor of Construction Engineering at the British University in Egypt (BUE), holds a PhD in Construction Management from London South Bank University and an MSc from the University of Alberta. His research focuses on waste management, digital construction, and sustainable building practices. He is actively involved in leading sustainability projects at Egypt’s Ministry of Environment and is a recognized global ambassador for sustainability.
The Social Action Award was given to Amira Saber Qandil, an alumna of the University of Sussex. Qandil is an Egyptian Member of Parliament (MP), Secretary General of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Vice President of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party. She has introduced several impactful bills on topics like food waste, climate change, and artificial intelligence governance. Qandil also represents the MENA region in the World Bank’s Young Parliamentarians network and is a Vital Voices Fellow. She is the founder of Kayan NGO, where she champions causes related to climate action, women’s rights, and youth empowerment.
Additionally, several other finalists were recognized for their exceptional contributions. Mohamed Alaa Eldin, a finance professional at the Export Development Bank and an alumnus of Buckinghamshire New University, was a finalist in the Business and Innovation category. Tarek Tantawy Mohamed Hemeida, a dental public health researcher and Lead of the Planning Committee for 3 Sixty Academy, was also a finalist, representing the University of Dundee.
In the Culture and Creativity category, Ahmed Elsharkawi, a media executive with nearly 30 years of experience in the Middle Eastern media industry, and Rehab Ismail, a journalist and media producer, were recognized as finalists. Elsharkawi is an alumnus of Royal Holloway, University of London, and Ismail graduated from University College London.
For the Science and Sustainability category, Dr. Saddam Hussein Ahmed Bekhet, the Head of the Quantitative Techniques Department at South Valley University and an alumnus of the University of Lincoln, was honored as a finalist. Dr. Tarek Ihab Abdel-Salam, a lecturer in mechanical engineering at the British University in Egypt, who earned degrees from the University of Edinburgh and Durham University, was also acknowledged as a finalist.
Lastly, in the Social Action category, Nermine Mounir, co-founder and director of Misriyati LLC and an alumnus of SOAS, University of London, and Samar Mohammed Al-Mutawakel, a global health leader at the World Health Organization and an alumnus of the University of Leeds, were recognized as finalists.
Ambassador Gareth Bayley congratulated all the award recipients, emphasizing that the event provided an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Egyptian alumni and their contributions to various fields, including business, science, culture, and social impact. Similarly, Mark Howard, British Council Country Director to Egypt, commended the finalists for their significant contributions and highlighted their inspiring stories that reflect the transformative power of UK education.
The Study UK Alumni Awards continue to highlight the impactful work of UK graduates in Egypt and beyond, showcasing how their UK education has helped them drive innovation, create social change, and contribute to the progress of their communities.
