University of Essex graduates named global awards finalists

The alumni are among 28 finalists selected from more than 1,300 applications worldwide for the awards, which celebrate international graduates who have made a significant impact in their communities after studying in the UK.

Human rights and cultural diversity graduate Luisa Fernanda Bacca, from Colombia, is a finalist in the science and sustainability category.

Luisa Fernanda Bacca is a finalist in the science and sustainability category (Image: University of Essex) Law with human rights graduate Ifigenia Bakellas, from Greece, is shortlisted in the social action category.

Professor Frances Bowen, vice-chancellor at the University of Essex, said: "We are so proud that two Essex graduates have been named global finalists.

"This is an incredible achievement for both of them, and we are delighted to see their work receiving the recognition it deserves on this global platform.

Ifigenia Bakellas is shortlisted in the social action category (Image: University of Essex) "Ifigenia and Luisa are wonderful ambassadors for our university, championing our international outlook and commitment to making change happen."

Luisa, a former Chevening Scholar, is a senior advisor at Gaia Amazonas and a leading advocate for Indigenous and territorial rights.

She works to build agreements between national authorities and Indigenous governments to tackle climate change and protect the Amazon.

Luisa said: "Studying at the University of Essex was a transformative experience that profoundly shaped my career.

"The UK academic environment stood out for its multidisciplinary approach, integrating legal, social, and political perspectives.

"Essex provided a unique platform where theory intersected with real-world application, allowing me to connect my fieldwork with Indigenous communities in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to the academic concepts I was exploring – particularly those surrounding self-determination and cultural inequalities."

She has been awarded the Big Bets Climate Fellowship by the Rockefeller Foundation and is now scaling her efforts across the Amazon Basin and beyond.

Ifigenia is the co-founder of Genesis Hellas, an NGO that provides vegan meals to more than 2,000 homeless people in Athens each year.

In 2024, she launched volunteer workshops for schoolchildren, reaching 15,000 students and promoting empathy and community service throughout Greece.

Ifigenia said: "This recognition means so much to me, as it reflects not only my own journey but also the incredible support and opportunities I’ve been fortunate to receive along the way."