Constructor Alumni Awards

Constructor University is proud of the continued successes of our alumni. To recognize the notable accomplishments of the alumni community, we established the Alumni Awards in 2025. Recipients must be a graduate of Constructor University to be eligible for an award. The nomination process opens every spring with winners honored at Homecoming in September. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Alumni Office.

Innovator Award

The Innovator Award recognizes a member of the alumni community who has introduced groundbreaking ideas, products, or services that are making a significant impact. Nominees demonstrate measurable success such as improved efficiency, profitability, or accessibility, and have received industry recognition, patents, or accolades for their contributions.

Eligibility
The Innovator Award is open to all graduates of Constructor.

2026 Recipient

Cornel Amariei
BSc 2015, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Cornel is the founder of .lumen, a company that develops innovative wearable eyewear to help blind and low-vision individuals move freely without guide dogs, successfully bridging a critical shortage. Backed by over 30 patents across the EU and the US, his groundbreaking glasses have gained widespread recognition throughout international media channels and major trade shows.

Alongside serving as a dedicated leader in the Romanian entrepreneurial community, Cornel has earned prestigious international accolades, including Forbes 30 Under 30 EU, JCI Ten Outstanding Young People of the World, and induction into the Global Business Hall of Fame.

Previous Winners

Bonaventure F.P. Dossou (MSc 2022) – 2025

Community Impact Award

The Community Impact Award honors alumni who have dedicated a minimum of five years to volunteering, advocacy, or financial support for a cause or underserved community. Recipients have taken on leadership roles to drive meaningful changes and can demonstrate tangible results such as impacted people, policies influenced, or funds raised.

Eligibility
The Community Impact Award is open to all graduates of Constructor.

2026 Recipient

Joanna Bagniewska
BSc 2006, Biology/Neuroscience

Across her roles at the University of Oxford, Joanna focuses on communicating science to non-expert audiences in engaging ways. She has appeared on the BBC, The Discovery Channel, and TEDx, and won FameLab Poland and I’m a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here. Joanna is also the author of three books: The Modern Bestiary, The Communicating Scientist, and the children’s book LIFE.

Her work inspires people to understand conservation, biodiversity, and ecology. She has helped shape the UK educational curriculum and supported Oxford’s communications team during the COVID vaccine rollout for the UK’s Polish community.

Previous Winners

Asfandyar Malik (BSc 2014) – 2025

Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award celebrates alumni who have achieved notable career success, such as notable research, leadership roles, entrepreneurial milestones, within 10 years of graduation. Honorees serve as role models by engaging with students, mentoring, or contributing to university initiatives while receiving recognition for their early-career accomplishments.

Eligibility
The Rising Star Award is open to graduates of Constructor who have graduated within the last 10 years.

2026 Recipient

Ali Alam
BA 2022, International Business Administration, Industrial Engineering and Management

Ali has dedicated his early career to entrepreneurship, innovation, and startups. Starting during his student days and continuing after graduation, he laid the groundwork for the Constructor Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center. There, he helps young startups by connecting them with alumni mentors to master funding, business models, and successful seed-stage launches.

In his professional role with Earlybird Venture Capital, Ali focuses heavily on championing founders from underrepresented backgrounds throughout their entrepreneurial journeys. His impressive early career achievements have been honored with the Diana Award and OEB 30 Under 30.

Previous Winners

Dr. Mahlaqua 'Mila' Noor (BSc 2019) – 2025