Keele graduate is a finalist at Study UK Alumni Awards
Keele graduate Professor Weiwei Cao has been announced as a finalist at the prestigious British Council Study UK Alumni Awards 2017-18, in what is the third consecutive year that a Keele graduate has been shortlisted.
Professor Cao was one of just a dozen finalists, after being whittled down from more than 1,700 nominations from a record 123 countries.
Professor Cao received her PhD in Law from Keele University and is now an Associate Professor in Law at Hunan University Law School. Nominated in the ‘Social Impact Award’ category, Professor Cao has been recognised for her commitment to promoting non-gender discrimination laws and policy in China.
This year’s awards ceremony was held in Beijing on Saturday 25th November. Professor Cao was accompanied to the awards ceremony by Keele in China ambassador and fellow graduate Donna Hui.
Professor Cao commented:
“I felt really excited and honoured to be selected as a finalist. I have always been proud of being a Keele alumni and deeply appreciative of what I learnt and got from Keele and UK study.”
The Social Impact Award acknowledges alumni who have made an exceptional contribution and commitment to creating positive social change and improving lives.
Professor Cao also works as a part-time legal consultant at Kaifu Xinchen Marriage and Family Service Centre, providing support to victims of domestic violence. In addition, Professor Cao works with local lawyer associations to promote sex education in primary schools to prevent child sex abuse.
John Easom, Alumni and Development Manager at Keele University, commented:
“We are proud of the accomplishments of all of our alumni, but we are especially thrilled when one of our graduates returns home after studying here and has a transformative impact in their native country, as Weiwei has done .”
The Study UK Alumni Awards are a prestigious international celebration of UK higher education and the achievements of UK alumni all over the world. China was the first country to host the awards this year, followed by subsequent ceremonies in other countries as part of the same series, including Ghana, Pakistan, and the USA.
The awards are open to alumni who have studied in the UK for a minimum of one term or semester, or who have been awarded a full UK degree level qualification by a local institution, within the last 15 years.
Finalists are selected for three global award categories: the Professional Achievement Award, which recognises alumni who have distinguished themselves in their professional industry; the Entrepreneurial Award, which highlights alumni who have played a leading role in business innovation; and the Social Impact Award, which acknowledges alumni who have made an exceptional contribution to creating positive social change.