A Growing Global Community

You are part of an amazing international story, one member of a powerful network of 285,000 Southampton alumni spread across 185 countries and overseas territories. There are 29 official University of Southampton alumni networks in 16 countries, including China, the United States and India.

These networks are made up of dedicated, enthusiastic alumni who are committed to helping each other progress in their careers, maintain friendships and support each other through life. By joining a network, you can stay connected to your university, wherever you are in the world, and benefit from the advice and guidance of your fellow Southampton graduates.

New networks opening

We are delighted to announce the opening of several new international networks. Recently, we have seen our branches spreading to countries including Ghana and Taiwan.

Enid Marful (LLM Maritime Law, 2007) has recently set up a network in Ghana.

“I am pleased to say that the first meet up was a success. It was such a pleasure meeting other University of Southampton alumni in Ghana as well as the hosts. Some of the alumni got to catch up and others met each other for the very first time. We had some interesting interactions travelling down memory lane of our days in Southampton, trying to recollect street names and other notable places in Southampton. I look forward to more meet ups.”

In Taiwan, Scott Lai (MSc Marketing Management, 2018) has been busy creating an official group.

“People in Taiwan are not so familiar with the University of Southampton as places like Oxford,” says Scott. “We want to raise the profile here and build prestige for the University. There are so many alumni here from different English universities. It is my goal to build better connections between all of them.”

International Recognition for Southampton Alumni

Some of these talented alumni have been celebrated at this year’s British Council Study UK Alumni Awards. These awards recognise the outstanding achievements of international alumni.

At the in Ghana, Professor Justice Moses Kwaku Aheto (MSc Statistics with Applications in Medicine, 2012) won the Science and Sustainability Award for his groundbreaking work in child nutrition. In Bangladesh, Khondaker Abdullah Al Mamun (PhD Sound and Vibration, 2008) won the Business and Innovation Award for his health start up, CMED, which has brought digital health inclusion to more than three million people in the country.

“This award means a lot to me, it means I am doing something critical to the advancement of the society, especially in support of the children of this world, and I am forever grateful and I dedicate this award to the children of the world.”

Professor Justice Moses Kwaku Aheto

We are also proud to have had many finalists, such as Faten Obediat (PhD Audiology, 2019), nominated in the Science and Sustainability category for her work screening newborn hearing in Jordan. In the USA, Leonela Beltran Sauve (LLM International Law, 2017) was a finalist in the Social Action category for her work in immigration rights, equality, language access and representation. In China, Dr Win Huang (PhD Computer Science, 2009) was a finalist in the Business and Innovation Category for his Artificial Intelligence (AI) education initiatives.

“Receiving the Study UK Alumni Award 2023-24 in  Business & Innovation category is a tremendous honour. My time at University of Southampton (2008-2012)played a pivotal role in shaping my career and fostering a commitment to impactful research.”

Dr Khondaker Abdullah Al Mamun

Indian Success

The University of Southampton was also represented at this year’s India UK Alumni Achievers Honours. The India UK award is important for celebrating the contribution of outstanding alumni from India to society, business and culture.

Alumnus Yash Prakash was selected as a finalist for his edtech start up, AcadAlly. This innovative programme uses AI to support children’s learning. Yash was also recognised at this year’s India UK Alumni Achievers Honours, which celebrate the contribution of outstanding alumni from India to society, business, and culture.

Yash was named in the ‘BW BusinessWorld Disrupt List of Young Achievers: 30 under 30’, which honours top Indian entrepreneurs.

 Naomi Irving, project manager for both the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards and the India UK Achievers Honours, says:

‘We are so proud of our award winners and finalists who have been recognised for their outstanding achievements and contributions in their field and society. The awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the talent and successes of graduates who are making an impact globally, demonstrating the value of a UK education.’

For more information about our international alumni community, please contact Naomi Irving, Alumni and Supporter Engagement Manager – n.irving@soton.ac.uk

To get involved in creating a new network, fill in this form: https://forms.office.com/e/vaamngH298