Sonya Bachra-Byrne, a graduate from the University of Bradford School of Management, has won the coveted AMBA Student of the Year Award 2024.
The AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards 2024 were held on January 19, 2024 at the exceptional Park Plaza London Riverbank. The Awards brought together leading lights from the global business education community to celebrate excellence and commend achievement among business schools, MBA students and graduates, suppliers and employers.
The ceremony was attended by more than 200 business school leaders, as well as category finalists, judges and members of the media.
The AMBA Student of the Year Award plays a pivotal role in supporting AMBA’s pledge to support the MBA degree’s status as the leading international business qualification.
The AMBA Student of the Year Award recognises students who have shown exceptional career potential and who AMBA believes can act as ambassadors for the high quality of accredited MBAs and the opportunities these programmes provide for students.
This award doesn’t just recognise ‘straight-A’ students but also focuses on leadership potential and career progression.
Sonya Bachra-Byrne epitomises academic excellence. Attaining the highest average programme mark of 83.27% and winning the prestigious Paul Donovan Prize for Academic Excellence, scoring an impressive 90% for her Management Project.
However, Sonya’s impact reaches beyond academia; her commitment to fostering a collaborative, vibrant, and inclusive environment within the MBA and Management School has united multiple cohorts during challenging times. Through mentorship and initiating the inaugural MBA Summit, she has strengthened relationships between alumni and current students. Selflessly leveraging her high-profile industry network, she generously contributes to the MBA programme’s success while running a multi-award-winning sustainable start-up business.
Sonya Bachra-Byrne, commented, “I am deeply honoured and thrilled to have been awarded the AMBA Student of the Year 2024! The entire awards evening was filled with a warm and convivial atmosphere, making the announcement of the award feel surreal and truly unexpected—I was left utterly speechless! This recognition reinforces the profound impact of education as a catalyst for personal and collective transformation on multiple levels, extending beyond academic accomplishments. It underscores the pivotal roles of leadership, collaboration, and the creation of a vibrant and inclusive community, which, for me, has been a monumental experience.
“This award has fundamentally elevated my personal and professional development, sharpening my entrepreneurial abilities and equipping our startup business with the skills needed to compete on the international stage. As Paulo Freire astutely noted, ‘Education does not change the world. Education changes people. People change the world.’ I deeply believe in the transformative power of education, and winning this award reinforces the value of accredited MBAs in shaping the future leaders of the business world.
“I am committed to continuing my journey of contributing to the success of the MBA program, building meaningful connections, and making a positive and significant impact in both academia and the business world. This accolade serves as a powerful motivation for me to strive for excellence and to be a dedicated ambassador for the exceptional opportunities that accredited MBAs offer. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the University of Bradford School of Management, my invaluable business mentors, and the entire AMBA community for their overwhelming support.
“To those considering an MBA journey, I would wholeheartedly encourage you—it has the potential to truly change your life!”
Professor Sankar Sivarajah, Dean of the School of Management, said: “Sonya is an inspiration for current and future MBA students. She wants to make a difference in the world and she understands the power of education. She is a great ambassador for Bradford and our MBA programmes.”
Andrew Main Wilson, Chief Executive of the Association of MBAs and Business Graduates Association (AMBA & BGA) said: “On behalf of the AMBA and BGA team, I would like to congratulate the finalists and winners of this year’s Excellence Awards.
“This year, the competition was stronger than ever. The entries who have made the final shortlist in each category should feel proud of their achievements.
“Additionally, the students and graduates who have been shortlisted as finalists today have all used their qualifications to achieve a spectrum of impressive results, in terms of the positive impact they have made to business, education and society as a whole.
“It was thrilling to be able to celebrate the AMBA network’s achievements at this glamorous Gala Dinner – in particular its been amazing to celebrate exceptional innovations and successes in the higher management education industry.
“I also want to take the opportunity to thank our partners, Kortext, Canvas by Instructure, Cesim Business Simulations, Perlego and BlueSky Education. Their support for our awards – and the business education sector – is greatly appreciated.”
ENDS
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Awards selection process:
The finalists were shortlisted by AMBA & BGA’s senior management team. A panel of judges then reviewed the shortlisted entries, selecting a winner and a highly commended entry for each award. Our judging panel is made up of AMBA board members, business experts, deans and management leaders.
All of our judges were selected based on their experience and qualifications.
The winners and highly commended entries can be seen here.
Best Culture, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative 2024, in association with BlueSky Education
Winner
Highly commended
Best Business School Partnership Award 2024, in association with Perlego
Winner
Highly commended
Best CSR and Sustainability Initiative 2024, in association with Cesim Business Simulations
Winner
Highly commended
Best Lifelong Learning Initiative 2024, in association with Canvas by Instructure
Winner
Best Innovation Strategy Award 2024, in association with Kortext
Winner
Highly commended
BGA Business School Impact Award 2024
Winner
Highly commended
Start-Up of the Year Award 2024
Winner
Highly commended
Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024
Winner
Highly commended
Postgraduate Leadership Award 2024
Winner
Highly commended
AMBA Student of the Year Award 2024
Winner
Highly commended
BGA Student of the Year Award 2024
Winner