Alumni achievements celebrated at inspiring ceremony

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Published

02 November 2022

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Inspiring individuals from the University of East London's (UEL) alumni community were celebrated for their commitment and dedication to sustainability, diversity, sport, entrepreneurship and more. 

Now in its fourth year, the Alumni Achievement Awards allows the University to celebrate and recognise the many and diverse achievements of our growing and vibrant alumni community – locally, nationally and across the world.

Members of the alumni community returned to UEL’s AVA Building to see familiar faces, old friends and network with their fellow nominees. 

This year saw around 400 nominations in 12 categories with 21 winners highlighting the talents of the alumni. To celebrate our 125th year as a university, an additional honour titled the UEL 125th Anniversary Celebratory Award, was included to reflect on the values and ambitions that unite the University and its alumni. 

Micha Nestor with her award

Micha Nestor, BA History, 2012, wins the Alumni Advisory Board change maker award

One of the winners of the Alumni Advisory Board change maker award, was Micha Nestor, BA History, 2012, who is the founding Director of Past Futures, a heritage consultancy which champions inclusion across the UK's museum and gallery sectors.

If someone is unable to see people who look like themselves in something, then they’re less likely to enter those fields. This is something I noticed as a historian where I could not see stories in popular culture or art which represented me," said Micha.  

"I created Past Futures to ensure that we have better representation for ethnic minorities, working class people, disabled and LGBTQIA+ people in arts. 

"UEL has been pivotal in my journey as it gave me a foundation to learn, develop and fall in love with history. It was here where I began to explore more local history, specifically in my home area of Crystal Palace. UEL has provided me with the steppingstone I needed to apply my beliefs and work towards a more diverse future for the cultural sector," she continued. 

Hani Assi accepts his award with his daughter

Hani Assi wins one of the Alumni Advisory Board change maker awards with his daughter, Lily-Rose.

A rising star

The Rising Star of the Year Award recognises the efforts of an alumnus under the age of 30, who is most likely to inspire the next generation. 

The winner was Farhan Ishraque Ahmed, MSc Construction Engineering Management, 2021, (pictured in the banner) whose work at Mott McDonald has helped improve water systems in Chesham. 

"This is the first award I have ever won so it feels great to be here. Hopefully being a rising star means I have a big future ahead of me and I a grateful to UEL for believing in me," said Farhan. 

"It shows that if you believe in yourself and persevere you can achieve things that you yourself did not know you were capable of doing. 

"My time at UEL was vital in helping me get where I am today. On my construction engineering course, we would receive guest lecturers from industry leading experts which gave us first-hand knowledge of the sector and networking opportunities from leading professionals," he continued. 

Dr Aishath Rafiyya delivering a speech

Dr Aishath-Rafiyya, BSc Business Information Systems, 2007, delivers her speech

Full list of winners

For a more detailed description on each winner, see the Alumni Achievement Awards.

  • The East London Glocal Engagement award – Margaret Ade-onojobi, BA Social Work, 2009. 
  • The Industry 4.0 Award – Gabor Papp, BEng Electrical and Electronics Engineering, 2019. 
  • Diversity Award – Dr Dung Jidong, PhD Psychology, 2019.
  • Alumni Sporting Success Award – Ruth Mwandumba, BSc Medical Physiology with Human Biology, 2016.
  • Sustainability Award – Deepika Tyagi, BSc Software Engineering, 2012.
  • Careers Led Award – Hazel Walker, MSc Psychology Conversion Course, 2021.
  • Alumni Engagement Award – The alumni team and advisory board - Rhyana Ebanks-Babb, Monica Imbert, Christopher Johnson, Adejoke Suberu and Jacqui Bashford. 
  • Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Cat Shanu, BA Film, 2021.
  • The Rising Star of the Year Award – Farhan Ishraque Ahmed, MSc Construction Engineering Management, 2021.
  • The Mental Wealth Advocacy Award – Rofikul Islam, BA (Hons) Education Studies (Combined), 2016.
  • The UEL 125th Anniversary Celebratory Award – Rofikul Islam, BA (Hons) Education Studies (Combined), 2016.
  • The Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award – Dwayne Fields, BA Psychology, International Development with Career and Business Management, 2014.

The Alumni Advisory Board Change Maker Award

These awards recognise individuals from our six schools. 

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