Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Awards

The award honours a highly exceptional alumnus or alumna who have made extraordinary professional or personal achievement. Nominees should be highly accomplished and recognised within their field as a strong leader, visionary or pioneer. They will have made an outstanding contribution in their chosen profession and demonstrated extraordinary service to the University, society, or the world.

Nominees successes may include research excellence and impact; leadership and innovation in industry or enterprise; achievements in the arts and humanities; contribution to society through professional endeavours; or public service at national or international level.

The award recognises an alumnus or alumna who have unselfishly and generously contributed their time and talents for the enrichment of others and betterment of the world, community or the University of Surrey. This will be a charitable or humanitarian act, over and above their normal working activities either through the University or other voluntary organisations. They will inspire and motivate others, exhibiting a passion and enthusiasm for making a difference through their chosen cause.

Nominees may be mentors, volunteers or charity ambassadors – giving their time, skills and energy for the benefit of others. They should demonstrate a clear and positive impact that has occurred as a direct result of their engagement and commitment, providing examples of how their volunteering has had a significant impact on society or Surrey.
 

This award celebrates a graduate who already has proven professional or career achievements in their chosen field. This could include acclaimed research, innovation in industry or service to society. Or all three.

This category is particularly aimed at mid-career graduates whose accomplishments demonstrate future potential to achieve societal impact and positive change.

Please note: The winner of this award will be selected from entries for our other awards.
 

The award recognises an alumnus or alumna aged 35 or younger (at the time of nomination) who have demonstrated early career or community service achievements. They will be an emerging leader, either at work or in the community, and an inspiring role model for students and young graduates.

Nominees should have success in their chosen profession or voluntary achievements. They should display innovative practices in their field or have contributed to social change through their charitable work, in the last three years.

This award celebrates a graduate who has donated their time to help advance the wider objectives of the University.

This could include but is not limited to taking advisory positions on committees, volunteering at events, mentoring students or running an international club.

• Professor Nicola Curtin - Alumna of the Year
• Mike Banfield - Outstanding Contribution to Surrey
• Tom Berkeley and Ross White - Young Achievers of the Year
• Dr Nicola Fox - Alumni Achievement Award
• Cled Cole - Volunteer of the Year

• Dr Shabnum Sarfraz – Alumna of the Year
• Sarah De Carvalho MBE – Outstanding Contribution to Society
• Ella Balinska – Young Achiever of the Year 

• Sue Kershaw – Alumna of the Year
• Dr Reeba Oliver – Outstanding Contribution to Society
• Segun Akinwoleola – Young Achiever
• Dr Alan Millington – Special Recognition

• ​​​​​​Professor Paul Stone – Alumnus of the Year
• Professor Jamie Bartram – Lifetime Achievement Award
• Patrick Zhu – Alumni Achievement Award
• Mary Dinah – Outstanding Contribution to Society Award
• Professor Gavin Whichello – Outstanding Contribution to Surrey Award
• Irosha Gunatunga – Young Achiever Award
• Alex Wilson – Young Achiever Award.

• Dr Cheryll Adams – Alumna of the Year
• Professor David Lane – Lifetime Achievement Award
• Dr Prasanna Sooriakumaran – Alumni Achievement Award
• Robert Gryn – Young Achiever Award
• Andrew Keates – Young Achiever Award
• Lydia Walpole – Young Achiever Award
• Nick Amott – UK Volunteer of the Year Award.

• Dr Lina Fahmi Hammad – Alumna of the Year
• Odaline de la Martinez – Lifetime Achievement Award
• Y Gavriel Ansara – Alumni Achievement Award
• Dr Kathleen McGuire – Alumni Achievement Award
• Polly Risbridger – Alumni Achievement Award
• Kanayo Dike-Oduah – Young Achiever Award
• Lee Reynolds – Young Achiever Award
• Dr Tao Wang – Young Achiever Award
• Janet Preston – UK Volunteer of the Year Award
• Lewis Young – UK Volunteer of the Year Award
• Jincheng ‘Jaycee’ Feng – International Volunteer of the Year Award
• Lynal Low – International Volunteer of the Year Award.