Lahore, February 11, 2026: The British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, hosted the prestigious Study UK Alumni Awards 2026 at the Avari Hotel in Lahore, recognising the exceptional achievements of alumni from UK higher education institutions across diverse sectors.
Pakistan is among a select group of countries to hold a national-level Study UK Alumni Awards ceremony, reflecting the significant impact of UK-educated professionals in the region. British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott attended the event as the chief guest, alongside James Hampson, Country Director of the British Council Pakistan; Rebecca Walton, Secretary of the Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust; Sarah Berrisford, Study UK Senior Alumni Manager; representatives from UK universities; business leaders; and prominent figures from various industries.
The ceremony was hosted by renowned Pakistani actor, theatre director, and producer Omair Tahir Rana, while celebrated singer-songwriter Natasha Baig delivered an energetic musical performance.
The event honoured UK-educated professionals across four categories: Business and Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Social Action, and Culture, Creativity and Sport.
Speaking on the occasion, James Hampson 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 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 founding lead of the Centre for Innovation in Networks, Telecom and AI. With over two decades of experience, numerous publications, and U.S. patents, her work has significantly advanced engineering education, applied research, and women’s empowerment in STEM across Pakistan. Finalists in this category included Dr Gulbeena Saleem (University of Glasgow) and Shaheena Salman Alwani (University of the West of Scotland).
The Business and Innovation Award went to Dr Murtaza Najabat Ali, an alumnus of the University of Sheffield and a leading medical device researcher, educator, and manufacturer operating across Pakistan and the United States. He has been mandated by the Prime Minister’s Office to establish Pakistan’s first state-owned medical device industry, securing approximately PKR 1.5 billion in funding from the federal government and international partners. He also pioneered the country’s biomedical engineering programme and continues to mentor future leaders in medical technology. Finalists included Mohsin Masood Malik (University of Northampton) and Shabeer Ahmed (University of Aberdeen).
The Social Action Award was awarded to Aon Abbas Bukhari, a Chevening Scholar and alumnus of the University of Surrey. Currently serving as Special Secretary (Operations) in Punjab’s Health & Population Department, Bukhari has led disability inclusion reforms by integrating services, expanding treatment access for more than 38,000 children, training healthcare providers, and supporting caregivers. Inspired by his UK education, he aims to scale rights-based disability inclusion nationwide. Finalists were Mariam Zahid Malik (University of Liverpool) and Zile Huma (University of Oxford).
The Culture, Creativity and Sport Award was presented to Dr Sauleha Kamal, an alumna of the University of Cambridge. An internationally published writer, cultural critic, and scholar, her work has reached millions through leading global publications. A Chevening and Cambridge Trust Scholar, Dr Kamal has received several prestigious literary fellowships and awards and continues to shape global literary discourse while amplifying South Asian voices. Finalists included Zaara Khadija Abbas (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Shahrukh Sohail (University of East London).
Winners of the Study UK Alumni Awards in Pakistan will benefit from enhanced visibility, networking opportunities, and avenues for professional growth. National winners and finalists will also be considered for global honours and may be invited to the UK for a special networking visit with key stakeholders and fellow awardees.
