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Graduates get set to celebrate at annual Alumni Awards ceremony

03/11/2024
A collage of the Alumni Awards 2024 finalists

The University of Wolverhampton’s annual Alumni Awards ceremony is being held on Thursday 7 November 2024 in The Chancellor’s Hall at its City Campus in Wolverhampton – but will also be streamed live around the world on YouTube with everyone invited to watch! 

This is the 3rd annual Alumni Awards ceremony, recognising the incredible achievements, careers and impact of the University's alumni and dedicated volunteers.    

This year there have been over 100 nominations across the ten award categories and there are 32 finalists including international political and government leaders, mental health and diversity advocates and special advisors. The University will also induct five outstanding alumni as the Class of 2024 into the Alumni Hall of Fame, adding to the five inducted in the inaugural Class of 2023. 

Categories include the UK Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award, International Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award, Young Alumni of the Year Award, Wulfrunian of the Year Award, The Humanitarian of the Year Award, Professional Excellence Award, The Entrepreneurial Award, The Leadership Award, The Apprenticeship Award and the Alumni Honour for Lifetime Achievement Award. 

David Wedge, Head of Alumni Relations at the University, said: “These awards are a very special occasion in the University's calendar and we’re really looking forward to welcoming some of our most inspiring and celebrated graduates from across the globe.    

“Our alumni provide inspiration for our current students, for staff who taught them and for applicants who are looking to study at the University.  It’s truly amazing to see how far some of our graduates have travelled and we want to officially recognise this and to celebrate their individual achievements.   

“The ceremony will be livestreamed on YouTube and is free to watch and we hope that as many people as possible – alumni, staff, students and members of the public as well as our key stakeholders – tune in to celebrate with us.”   

Some of the finalists include: 

  • Nely Stephanie Nasir, Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister's Department in Malaysia 
  • Clare Dickens MBE, staff and mental health and suicide prevention specialist 
  • Nate Watson, National Diversity Award in winner in 2022 
  • Ljubica Butkovic, co-led the development of the United Nations Office for Project Services in Somalia 
  • Graham Turner, Athlete Development Lead at the Australian Institute of Sport 
  • Nathalie Flores, Vice-Chair of the United Nations’ climate change science and technology body 

One of the finalists received a message of support from a former President of Nigeria after being shortlisted for a Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong commitment to achieving excellence in the agricultural sector.  

Dr Adeola Odedina, who graduated in 1991 with a Postgraduate degree in Agricultural Education, will be returning to Wolverhampton for the awards ceremony. 

Following news of his nomination for the Lifetime Achievement Award, he has already received messages of support from the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and the President of Africa Development, His Excellency Dr Akinwunmi Adesina.  

Dr Odedina’s contributions to agriculture and education has seen him earn more than 40 national and international awards/recognitions.   

Since graduating, Dr Odedina has taken on a number of roles in his home country of Nigeria, including, Special Advisor on Agriculture to the Ogun State Government, Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta in the Ogun State, Commissioner of Agriculture in the Ogun State and Provost and Chief Executive Officer at the Federal College of Agriculture.   

Dr Odedina’s has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and a passion for sharing his expertise with others, particularly the younger generation. His philanthropic efforts have also improved the lives of many within and outside his community.   

Reflecting on award nomination, Dr Odedina said: “I’m thrilled that I’ve been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Alumni Honour Award for Lifetime Achievement at the University of Wolverhampton. It’s a great honour to be recognised by the alumni and where I had the privilege of studying and graduating 33 years ago.  

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be considered among such an impressive group of alumni.”  

To view our finalists for the Alumni Awards 2024, visit our Awards web page.   

To find out more about graduate success, check out the Every Story Has a Start web page which showcases our exceptional alumni across the globe doing incredible things. High achievers from the worlds of literature, business, sport, film and the arts feature, sharing how their lives and careers have developed since their days studying with us.     

After graduation, graduates become members of the Alumni Association and are encouraged to keep in touch, to take advantage of a wide range of benefits and support on offer, including a discount for postgraduate study.     

To learn more about the University’s Alumni Association please visit here, where graduates can also update their details with the Association.   

 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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