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Constructor Alumni Awards
Constructor Alumni AwardsConstructor 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
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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
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Bonaventure F.P. Dossou
MSc 2022 Data Engineering
Bonaventure is recognized for his work as an AI researching, specifically for building technology for African languages and global accessibility. He co-developed FFRTranslate, one of the first French-Fon neural translations which was incorporated into Google Translate. His work utilizes AI to create translation tools and support for those with limited budgets and data resources. His work has been featured in media across the world including Deutsche Welle, BBC World Service, and The African Babelfish.
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
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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
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Asfandyar Malik
BSc 2014 Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Yar is an entrepreneur and changemaker who is empowering thousands through education and technology. He is the founder of the Nadir Foundation, which is focused on advancing girls’ education in Pakistan and has supported English schooling for over 5000 girls in underserved areas.
Outside of his social foundation, Yar is an active entrepreneur, founding multiple companies and supporting students with similar goals. He has been nominated as part of the Forbes 30 under 30 for his work with Crypto and AI.
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
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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
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Dr. Mahlaqua ‘Mila’ Noor
BSc 2019 Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Dr. Noor is a scientist, advocate, and innovator who bridges academia and entrepreneurship.
After graduating from Constructor, Mila was named a Gates Scholar to continue to graduate studies at the University of Cambridge, where she is now a Bye Fellow in viral immunology. Her work focus on congenital cytomegalovirus, the most common cause of viral infection in newborn babies has been recognized through numerous awards. She has served in leadership roles, including the Gates Cambridge Scholars Council and continues to advocate for underrepresented populations.