Sheffield Hallam graduate finalist in British Council Awards

20th February 2017

A Sheffield Hallam University graduate has been shortlisted for an award which celebrates outstanding achievements of the UK's international alumni.

Moneeza Burney, a business economics graduate, is a finalist in the British Council Alumni Awards which celebrates the achievements of the UK's international graduates. Moneeza, who graduated in 2013, is a finalist in the social impact category for her work setting up the Lahore Students' Union Community Service Initiative in her native Pakistan. The initiative is a structured six week social internship programme which connects students with volunteer opportunities in non-profit organisations based in Lahore. Since its launch, the initiative has received more than 2,000 applicants and has placed more than 500 individuals into various volunteer roles. Moneeza has credited her time volunteering through Sheffield Hallam Students' Union for giving her the ideas and knowledge to launch the service. She said: "As a Pakistani, studying in the UK was a unique experience for me. The campus life offered some great learning prospects, since the classes included students and teachers from all over the globe, the interactions helped bring together different perspectives in one place. "During this time I volunteered through my students' union and gained creative ideas of how to inspire young people to work for a social cause through fundraising and other campaigns - which is quite rare in Pakistan. My overall experience of studying and working in the UK well equipped me to address important social issues in Pakistan." Kostas Lagos, senior lecturer in business economics and Moneeza's former tutor, said: "Moneeza was a brilliant student. Not only was she outstanding in her course, but she also made a significant difference through her involvement in the student society and by being an excellent ambassador for the University. "I can't stress enough how happy and proud I am to have taught a student like that and see her efforts, hard work and commitment being recognized." Winners will be announced on the 3 March 2017.