UCL alumni win at prestigious British Council StudyUK Alumni Awards 2024

Image, clockwise from top left: Catherine Lasam Ballo, Wendy Teo Boon Ting, Nasia Hadjigeorgiou and Despoina Georgiou

The British Council StudyUK Alumni Awards illustrate the impact and advantages of studying at a UK university as an overseas student. They are open to alumni of British universities living outside of the UK who have made a significant difference in their professional lives, community or country since graduating. 

Our winners were chosen for their achievements in three categories: Culture and Creativity; Business and Innovation; and Social Action.  The diverse group have had outstanding successes in the fields of architecture, arts education, employment law and human rights. 

Culture and Creativity 

UCL had two winners in the Culture and Creativity category: Catherine Lasam Ballo (MA Art Education, Culture and Practice 2023) was a winner in the Philippines, while Wendy Teo Boon Ting (UCL Architecture MArch 2011) was a winner in Malaysia. This category recognises alumni who have established a successful career for themselves in arts and culture.  

Formerly the Principal of SoFA Design Institute with over 20 years of experience as an educator, Catherine now serves as the founder of ARTguro Philippines. Through her work, she has been instrumental in uplifting and supporting fellow art educators across the country. 

Wendy Teo is a pioneering architect and cultural advocate.  She champions local craft communities and pioneering innovative design applications. Her work symbolises a commitment to preserving heritage, fostering innovation, and uniting communities. Wendy Teo’s success is having a major impact on the cultural landscape across Southeast Asia. 

Business and Innovation 

Despoina Georgiou (LLM Law 2017) was a winner for the Business and Innovation category in Greece. This award recognises alumni developing innovative ideas in areas such as entrepreneurship, business, technology and finance.  

Despoina is a lecturer and doctoral candidate whose research focuses on areas within labour and competition law, and the platformisation and casualisation of work. 

Social Action 

Nasia Hadjigeorgiou (LLB Law 2009) was a winner for the Social Action category in Cyprus. This category recognises alumni who are creating positive social change and improving the lives of others.  

Nasia is currently an Assistant Professor in Human Rights and Transitional Justice at the University of Central Lancashire (Cyprus campus). Her expertise is in international human rights law, constitutional law and intra-state conflict settlement. Nasia has been commended for her work in teaching and championing human rights. 

The shortlist included nine other UCL finalists: 

• Haris Achilleos (UCL Paediatrics and Child Health MSc 2016), Cyprus  

• Yu Bai (UCL Architecture Grad Dip 2008), China 

• Almat Igenbayev (UCL Master of Laws LLM 2017), Kazakhstan 

• Aliaa Ismail (UCL Science and Engineering in Arts and Heritage MRes 2017), Egypt 

• Saltanat Januzakova (UCL Economic Policy MSc 2012), Kazakhstan 

• Hoang Le Minh (UCL Advanced Architectural Design MArch 2012), Vietnam 

• Thanh Pham (UCL Environmental Engineering MEng 2011), Vietnam 

• Haya Zahid (UCL Bachelor of Laws LLB 2006), Pakistan 

Angharad Milenkovic, UCL’s Vice-President (Advancement), said:  “Our UCL alumni community is a truly global network, as the geographic spread of our winners and finalists demonstrates. I cannot commend these alumni winners highly enough – the excellence they have brought to their respective fields will inspire the next generation and reaffirm the value of a UCL and UK education.” 

Learn more 

• The British Council Alumni Awards
• Find your local alumni group wherever you are in the world