Recent news

King’s New Year Honours

We’re very proud of everything that our alumni, friends and staff go on to achieve, and there are few higher accolades than earning a place among the King’s New Year’s Honours. These awards recognise those who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and areas of expertise across the UK.

Some of our notable award recipients:

Professor of Chemistry Gill Reid was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for work empowering women and girls in chemistry.

Emeritus Professor Richard Oreffo, who worked in the Faculty of Medicine for more than 25 years, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Education.

Honorary graduate Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz has been awarded a Knight Grand Cross (GBE) for services to cancer research, clinical research, medicine and also to charity.

Alumna Monica Kohli (2004, LLM) received an OBE for services to promoting diversity in the maritime industry.

Alumnus Peter Thornton Laybourn (1977, BSc) was awarded his OBE for services to the green economy and to climate action through industrial symbiosis.

For his services to real estate, heritage and community in London, Simon James Murphy (1985, BSc) was also awarded an OBE.

Finally, alumna Dr Tracey Anne Cooper (1990, BM) was awarded her OBE for services to healthcare and public health.

University of Southampton named in UK top 20 for spinouts

We were delighted to be recognised for our role in driving innovation and economic growth in the UK. Figures from the Royal Academy of Engineering ranked the University of Southampton among the country’s top 20 for launching startups.

Since 2011, we have launched 43 spinouts. In the last five years alone, Southampton spinouts have raised more than £78 million and created over 400 jobs.

Professor Mark Spearing, Vice President of Research and Enterprise at the University of Southampton, says: “Innovation sits at the very heart of what we do here.

“For years we have encouraged our academics and students to take their research from an idea through to reality through spinouts – and some of these are not only changing the world but improving people’s lives for the better.

“University spinouts fuel innovation which drives economic growth across the UK and I am delighted that our hard work has been rightfully recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering.”

Read the full story here.

India campus update

Our India campus in Gurgaon, Delhi, will welcome its first students in August. Programmes will be taught in English and the quality and content will be equivalent to that delivered to all University of Southampton students.

The University of Southampton is the first international university to be granted a licence by the Indian government to establish a comprehensive campus in the country under the new National Education Policy (NEP).

We are also delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Eloise Phillips as Academic Provost for the new Delhi campus. Eloise will take up her post in May.

You can read more about the campus here.

British Council Study UK Alumni Awards success

We’re thrilled to celebrate our alumni who were recognised in the 2025 British Council Study UK Alumni Awards. The awards honour the outstanding achievements of alumni and showcase the impact and value of a UK higher education across the globe. Award winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who are using their university experiences to drive positive change in their communities, professions and beyond.

Our congratulations go to:

Faten Obeidat
PhD Audiology, 2019
Science and Sustainability Award winner, Jordan  

Dr Faten is actively involved in projects approved by the Ministry of Health, focused on expanding and evaluating Jordan’s newborn hearing screening program, in alignment with global efforts advocating for early intervention in infants at risk of hearing loss.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition and for all the opportunities that have come my way through the BC Study UK Science and Sustainability Awards. I’m excited to continue advancing research and education in newborn hearing, audiology, and balance disorders.”

Georgia Kalantzi
PhD Ocean and Earth Science, 2012
Business and Innovation Award winner, Greece 

Sanhapan Wattanapisit
MSc Clinical Leadership, 2019
Social Action Award winner, Thailand 

“I am honoured to receive the Social Action Award and am grateful to the University of Southampton for providing the foundation to shape my journey.”

Amanda Hamilton Rushforth
BA Fashion and Textile Design, 2012
Culture and Creativity winner, UAE

Amanda Rushforth is a leading sustainable fashion and lifestyle activist in the Middle East, offering educational talks that draw awareness of the impacts of our consumer choices and the effects these have on our environment. Amanda credits Southampton for providing her with opportunities and connections that helped her establish a better understanding of a potential career path, industry insight, environmental goals and international impact.

Mohammad Ismat Kadir
PhD Electronic & Electrical Engineering, 2014
Science and Sustainability Award finalist, Bangladesh 

“Studying at the University of Southampton on a Commonwealth Scholarship was instrumental in shaping my career. Under the mentorship of Professor Lajos Hanzo, a renowned leader in wireless communications, I cultivated a deep passion for designing next-generation wireless systems. My studies and, later, a Visiting Fellowship at the University of Southampton, were rewarding experiences for my career.”

MonSu Huang
MBA, 2012
Business and Innovation Award finalist, USA

Thank you to our alumni in China

We offer our heartfelt thanks to the alumni who played a vital role in our recent open events across Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai. Alongside the Southampton delegation, they shared stories of success, showcased talents, and welcomed hundreds of prospective students. In the evenings, we celebrated with our Beijing, Southwest and Shanghai alumni branches at our alumni dinner receptions, where we recognised key volunteers with special alumni awards.

Find out more about alumni regional networks near you.