StudyUK Alumni Awards 2025 success for Bangor University Alumni

Now in its 11th year, and run in 23 countries, the British Council annually recognises the outstanding achievements of international alumni who studied in the UK. These awards honour leaders who have leveraged their UK education to make significant contributions to their communities, industries, and countries.

Bangor University is delighted that two alumni were named as winners in their country’s awards.

Dr. Jennifer O’Brien is an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida (USF) and gained her PhD in Psychology in Bangor in 2008. Jennifer was announced as the winner in the Science and Sustainability category during the USA awards ceremony held in Los Angeles, for her research in the area of cognitive aging and dementia prevention.

Jennifer said;

Completing my PhD at Bangor University paved the way for my academic successes and also shaped me as scientist and human. As I have now spent over 15 years as a university academic, I recognize how unique of an experience this was for a graduate student.

In Saudi Arabia, Dr. Faisal Alzahrani (Cancer Studies PhD, 2014) was announced as winner of the Culture and Creativity Award.  

Now a Professor at King Abdulaziz University, Faisal’s dedication to health and the environment is evident in his work in the area of stem cell biology, DNA repair and research into pre-eclampsia. His experiences have enabled him to work as a public speaker, a guest on television and a columnist for national and regional newspapers.

Both Jennifer and Faisal were congratulated by Prof. Oliver Turnbull, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, via a video message which was shown during their award ceremonies.

A further two Bangor alumni were announced as finalists for Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Noor Almajed (Accounting and Finance MSc, 2023), a lecturer at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia, was acknowledged for her volunteer work serving as an academic supervisor for the Accounting Club at the University and training students at The King Abdulaziz and His Companions' Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba).

In Qatar, Bilal El Salem (Accounting MSc, 2015), Lecturer of Accounting at Qatar University, was recognised for his successful YouTube channel, featuring videos in Arabic on accounting topics, which aims to bring the same clarity and depth he experienced in the UK to Arabic-speaking students and professionals.

Emma Marshall, Head of Development and Alumni Relations said;

Bangor University is delighted that the success of our international alumni have again been recognised through the StudyUK Alumni Awards. We are very proud that their time here in Bangor contributed towards their accomplishments and that their important work and research will continue to make a real difference to people’s lives.

Many congratulations to them all.