3 Bangladeshi changemakers win Study UK Alumni Awards 2026
Three Bangladeshis have been recognized at the British Council’s Study UK Alumni Awards 2026 for their impactful contributions across media, public health, and mental wellbeing sectors.
The winners — Sumaya Afrin Misti, Dr Shomik Maruf, and Fasbeer Eskander — were honoured for their innovation, leadership, and commitment to driving social change in Bangladesh.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Social Action Award Winner: Sumaya Afrin Misti
Sumaya Afrin Misti’s journey into child psychology and safeguarding evolved through years of hands-on experience as a teacher, school psychologist, and trainer. Repeated exposure to systemic gaps in student wellbeing led her to focus on building stronger mental health frameworks in schools.
Her academic training in Applied Child Psychology at Nottingham Trent University introduced her to structured, outcome-driven intervention models. She now applies a multi-tiered approach — combining classroom strategies, group support, individual therapy, and referral systems.
Identifying unequal access to mental health services as a key challenge in Bangladesh, Misti works through BloomAid to deliver remote counselling, teacher training, and community outreach, aiming to normalise early intervention.
She also mentors aspiring UK postgraduates, believing that “one scholarship should benefit many,” by helping others gain global exposure and bring back knowledge to improve local systems.
Winning the Social Action Award, she said, will help amplify her advocacy, strengthen institutional partnerships, and accelerate reforms in safeguarding and mental health support nationwide.
She added that a habit she developed in the UK — taking short reflective walks after intensive sessions — continues to influence her professional practice, helping her maintain clarity in clinical decision-making.
Driving innovation in public health surveillance
Dr Shomik Maruf, a public health researcher and specialist in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), was awarded the Science & Sustainability Award.
Growing up in Mymensingh, an endemic zone for visceral leishmaniasis, Maruf said his early exposure to disease and its social consequences shaped his career path.
“Public health is not just about reducing disease — it’s about restoring dignity,” he said.
He credited his training at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) for shaping his data-driven approach to public health, emphasising the importance of translating epidemiological insights into actionable policy tools.
Maruf highlighted the potential of integrated, real-time disease surveillance systems powered by predictive analytics, which could enable Bangladesh to move from reactive responses to proactive health interventions.
He also reflected on his time in the UK, recalling the “Mind the gap” announcement on the London Underground as a symbol of precision and rhythm, alongside quiet moments spent in London’s parks that left a lasting impression.
Redefining digital journalism for new audiences
Fasbeer Eskander, founder of The Front Page (TFP), received the Business & Innovation Award for his contributions to digital media.
Eskander said the platform was created to make credible news more accessible and engaging for younger audiences.
“We wanted to make credible information accessible — and consumable — for a new generation,” he said.
He noted that his UK study experience influenced his understanding of content presentation, audience engagement, and digital storytelling.
Despite the growing dominance of social media as a news source, Eskander identified market scepticism towards digital platforms as a key challenge in scaling media startups in Bangladesh.
He stressed the importance of maintaining a strict separation between editorial integrity and commercial interests, ensuring credibility remains uncompromised.
Receiving the Business & Innovation Award, he said, validates not only his work but also the broader digital media ecosystem that TFP represents.
He added with a touch of humour that he still occasionally uses British slang such as “innit”, and remains fond of classic fish and chips — small reminders of his time in the UK.
Recognition to amplify impact
According to the British Council, the Study UK Alumni Awards celebrate international graduates of UK universities who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.
The recognition is expected to further amplify the winners’ work, enabling them to expand initiatives, influence policy, and inspire future leaders in Bangladesh.
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