Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The British Council has opened applications for the 2027 Study UK Alumni Awards, an award programme recognizing graduates of UK universities who apply their knowledge and skills in their professions, local communities and wider society.
Applications are open from 1 September to 15 October 2026. The launch of the programme in Uzbekistan was presented to journalists at a media brunch at Broccoli Park in Tashkent on 29 September, the British Council said.
The awards are being held for the 13th time. In 2027, awards will be presented in four categories: Business and Innovation; Culture, Creativity and Sport; Science and Sustainable Development; and Social Action.
Eligible candidates will be considered simultaneously for national awards in participating countries and for the global awards.
Applications are open to graduates who obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher between 2011 and 2026 and currently live and work outside the UK.
The programme is open not only to those who studied directly in the UK, but also to holders of full UK qualifications obtained through recognized educational institutions in their home countries under transnational education or distance-learning programmes.
A key selection criterion will be the graduate’s contribution to their professional field, community or society, as well as the role played by their UK education in achieving that impact.
National finalists in Uzbekistan will be announced in February–March 2027, followed by award ceremonies in the country. Global finalists will be announced in July–August, with the global winners to be named in August 2027.
Global winners will be invited to the UK, where they will have an opportunity to visit their universities and meet current GREAT scholarship recipients and other award winners.
The current awards cycle coincides with the 30th anniversary of the British Council’s work in Uzbekistan. The agreement that marked the beginning of the organization’s activities in the country was signed in October 1996.
“Marking the 30th anniversary of the British Council in Uzbekistan, we see the Study UK Alumni Awards as a unique opportunity to recognize graduates who are shaping the development of their professional fields, communities and countries. These awards highlight the long-term value of UK education and the strength of people-to-people connections that have developed over three decades of cooperation. At a time of rapid change, the contribution of leaders and innovators committed to international cooperation is more important than ever,” said Michael Holgate, Director of the British Council in Uzbekistan.
According to the organization, 1,295 students from Uzbekistan studied in the UK in the 2024–2025 academic year. Another 10,740 people studied UK transnational education (TNE) programmes within Uzbekistan, placing the country tenth in Asia by this measure.
More than 10 UK educational organizations currently operate in Uzbekistan. The alumni community includes around 300 Chevening scholars, 11 Hornby Scholarship alumni, six Women in STEM Scholarship alumni and thousands of TNE programme graduates.
National winners of the 2025 Study UK Alumni Awards also shared their experiences at the media brunch.
Shahboz Ibodullaev, a graduate of Westminster International University in Tashkent and winner in the Business and Innovation category, specializes in capital markets and business development. He previously worked as a trade adviser at the British Embassy in Tashkent and is involved in developing the Olamvisa visa platform.
Orzugul Goyibova, a graduate of the University of Bristol and winner in the Social Action category, leads the “Top100 Uni” project at Uzbekistan’s Youth Affairs Agency. She also founded the “Porla” initiative for women and developed the TopCoach mentoring platform.
The third national winner was Sirojiddin Olimov, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh and CEO of the Mutolaa audiobook and e-book platform, which has more than 1 million users.
“When I applied for the Study UK Alumni Awards, I genuinely did not know whether I would win. Receiving the award was an unforgettable moment, but the support did not end with the ceremony.
“The programme continues to support the idea of lifelong learning by investing in the education and personal development of its alumni. Thanks to this support, I had the opportunity to take another short-term course, which was fully funded. I am deeply grateful for the recognition, the opportunity to learn and the community that this award provides,” he said.
The meeting also featured British Council Women in STEM scholars Robiyakhon Nabijonova, who completed a master’s degree in Advanced Mechanical Engineering at Cranfield University, and Albina Kholieva, who holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Tourism and Global Challenges from the University of Glasgow.
Today, the British Council in Uzbekistan works in education, English language teaching, arts and creative industries, and helps universities develop international cooperation and partnerships with organizations abroad.
