Kazakh graduate shortlisted for British Council Alumni Award

Essex graduate Aivar Baikenov has been chosen as a regional finalist in the British Council Alumni Awards for his 'significant contribution to the development of the financial sector' in Kazakhstan.

Aivar, 30, who graduated from the Department of Government with a First-Class degree in Economics and Politics in 2010, said he used his studies at Essex to create a positive change within business and finance in his home country.

The British Council Alumni Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of alumni and showcase the impact and value of a UK higher education. Last year we were the highest ranking non-Russell Group university by the number of finalists shortlisted.

The British Council received 1,700 alumni applications in total from 125 countries representing 140 British Higher Education Institutes.

The award ceremony in Kazhakstan will take place in its largest city, Almaty in February.

Aivar said: "Kazakhstan is not a country with a developed capital market. Thus, one of my main objectives was to implement all that I learned about stock, bond and FX markets on my home soil.

"Politics as part of my education helped me to analyse all events on a political scene and how they could influence local financial markets, exchange rate and our positions in local stocks and bonds."

Since graduating, Aivar has become Managing Director of JSC Kazkommerts Securities, one of the largest investment banks in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

His experiences and successes have even inspired a family member to study in the UK.

He said: "I have shared my experience mainly with my nephew who was interested in UK education and its effect on his future career. As a result, he has started studying for his A-levels in London and plans to apply for an undergraduate course."

The British Council Alumni Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of alumni and showcase the impact and value of a UK higher education. Last year we had the highest number of finalists shortlisted outside the Russell Group.

This year the British Council received 1,700 alumni applications in total from 125 countries representing 140 british higher education Institutes.