On 15 July 2017, the British Council USA and GREAT honored the finalists and winners of the Study UK Alumni Awards with an awards ceremony and reception, in partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York. The 2017 honorees included Oliver Jeffers, Dr. Terence Yeo and Dr. Vicki Phillips, all of whom participated in a panel discussion to share their UK education experiences.
Oliver Jeffers from Ulster University was honored in the Professional Achievement category. He is a Northern Irish artist, illustrator and writer who now lives and works in Brooklyn. From directing music videos for U2, to illustration and picture-book making, Oliver’s work has been exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery in London, the Brooklyn Museum in New York, the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, along with separate exhibitions in Berlin, Sydney and Washington D.C.
Dr. Terence Yeo from Loughborough University and University of Cambridge received the Entrepreneurial award. He is a leading expert in the field of optical physics and the Founder and CEO of Fusion Optix, a world leading LED lighting and optical technology company.
Dr. Vicki Phillips from the University of Lincoln was recognized in the Social Impact category for her work in education. She has served as a teacher, school superintendent, state education minister, and director of education for the world’s largest philanthropic organisation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Leigh Gibson, Director of the British Council USA, shared her thoughts on the Alumni Awards, “We are delighted to celebrate this great programme of transatlantic exchange and send the 2017 winners our warmest congratulations. The special relationship between the US and UK is built on a shared history, mutual trust, respect and understanding. It is enriched immensely by the thousands of individuals who have chosen to study abroad, gaining a rich understanding of another culture, undertaking a rigorous academic course and building lifelong friendships along the way.”
Allan Goodman, President and CEO of IIE said, “The accomplishments of these distinguished alumni of British universities demonstrate the power of international education to prepare students and professionals to succeed in the global economy. We are proud to partner with the British Council in recognizing these extraordinary individuals. We welcome the contributions they have made to the arts, education and entrepreneurship in the United States, and to the free flow of ideas across cultures. America is made stronger through the diverse perspectives and talent brought by international students who study in the United States, and by U.S. citizens and other professionals who study in other countries and draw upon this knowledge as they contribute to our society.”
The Alumni Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of alumni and showcase the impact and value of a UK higher education. Award winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions and countries.
The United States is one of fourteen countries participating in the Study UK Alumni Awards, representing alumni from 125 UK universities. Applications are now open for exceptional US based alumni from UK universities for the 2018 Alumni Awards.
