University of Nottingham

Notable alumni

• Abdoulie Janneh (The Gambia)

  Graduated from the University of Nottingham

  Earned an MA in Urban and Regional Planning Studies.

  Lifetime achievements

  Former UN Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa. Janneh has since worked as Executive Director of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, and in 2018 was appointed Chairperson of Commissioners of the Gambian Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).

• Anil Kakodkar (India)

  Graduated from the University of Nottingham

  Earned an MSc in Mechanical Engineering in 1969.

  Lifetime achievements

  Nuclear Physicist and Mechanical Engineer. Kakodkar was Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India and the Secretary to the Government of India. He also served as Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay from 1996–2000. In January 2009 Kakodkar was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour.

• Bert Keizer (The Netherlands)

  Graduated from the University of Nottingham

  Earned a BA in Philosophy in 1972.

  Lifetime achievements

  A Dutch writer and physician, Keizer has written about physician-assisted suicide (legal in the Netherlands) and most notably his book Het refrein is Hein, which was translated into English (by Keizer himself) as Dancing with Mr D.

• Dr Deng Yaping (China)

  Graduated from the University of Nottingham

  Earned an MA in Contemporary Chinese Studies in 2002.

  Lifetime achievements

  Four-time Olympic table tennis champion, Dr Yaping was named Chinese Athlete of the Century. She retired at the age of 24 with more titles than any other player in the sport. Yaping is now committed to nurturing young sporting talent and sponsors a scholarship scheme at the University of Nottingham, which offers talented Chinese students the opportunity to combine an international education with performance sports opportunities across Europe.

• Haja Zainab Hawa Bangura (Sierra Leone)

  Graduated from the University of Nottingham

  Earned a Diploma in Insurance Management.

  Lifetime achievements

  Foreign Minister for Sierra Leone, human rights campaigner and former presidential candidate. Bangura served as the 2nd United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict with the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations from 2012 to 2017.

• Lateefa Al Gaood (Bahrain)

  Graduated from the University of Nottingham

  Earned a degree in 1996.

  Lifetime achievements

  The first female member of the Council of Representatives in Bahrain and the first woman in the Persian Gulf region to win in a legislative general election.

• Leo Stan Ekeh (Nigeria)

  Graduated from the University of Nottingham

  Earned an MSc in Risk Management.

  Lifetime achievements

  Nigerian businessman and the CEO of Zinox Technologies Limited. In 2002 Ekeh was honoured as an Icon of Hope by President Olusegun Obasanjo for his sustained and pioneering effort in the area of Information Technology and a pride to modern Nigeria. He pioneered the first internationally certified Nigerian computer brand, Zinox Computer.

• Meena Alexander (India)

  Graduated from the University of Nottingham

  Earned a PhD in English in 1973.

  Lifetime achievements

  Indian poet, scholar, and writer. Alexander is well known for her lyric poetry, which deals with the topic of migration, its impact on the subjectivity of the writer, and the sometimes violent events that compel people to cross borders. Her most recognised works are the volumes of poetry Illiterate Heart (2002), and Raw Silk (2004).

• Peter Rice (UK)

  Graduated from the University of Nottingham

  Earned a BA in American Studies in 1989.

  Lifetime achievements

  President of 21st Century Fox. Rice oversees the mega US corporations, Fox Broadcasting Company, FOX Sports, FX Networks, National Geographic, 20th Century Fox Television, and Fox Networks Group Latin America, Europe and Asia. He also served as the supervising Creative Executive on blockbuster films such as X-Men and Independence Day.