University of York

Notable alumni

• Dr Beverley Naidoo (South Africa)

  Graduated from the University of York

  Earned a BA in English and Education in 1967 and a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) in 1968.

  Lifetime achievements

  A South African children’s writer, whose first 3 novels featured life in South Africa. Dr Naidoo wrote a biography of the trade unionist Neil Aggett, and won the annual Carnegie Medal from the Library Association (UK). She won the Josette Frank Award twice; for Journey to Jo’burg in 1986 and No Turning Back: A Novel of South Africa in 1997.

• Eduardo Reck Miranda (Brazil)

  Graduated from the University of York

  Earned an MSc in Music Technology in 1991.

  Lifetime achievements

  Composer of chamber and electro-acoustic music. Miranda is well known in the United Kingdom for his scientific research into computer music, particularly in the field of human-machine interfaces, where brain waves will replace keyboards and voice commands to enable disabled people to express themselves musically.

• Elleck Mashingaidze (Zimbabwe)

  Graduated from the University of York

  Earned a PhD.

  Lifetime achievements

  A historian and diplomat, Mashingaidze served as Zimbabwe’s first Ambassador to the USA and Zimbabwe’s first Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In 1983 and 1984 Mashingaidze held the post of President of the United Nations Security Council.

• Han Seung-soo (South Korea)

  Graduated from the University of York

  Earned a PhD in Economics in 1968.

  Lifetime achievements

  Prime Minister of South Korea from February 2008 to September 2009. Seung-soo was also President of the 56th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2002. He is a member of the Club de Madrid, a group of 80 former Presidents and Prime Ministers of democratic countries, who collaborate to strengthen democratic leadership and governance worldwide.

• Mahmoud Mohieldin (Egypt)

  Graduated from the University of York

  Earned an MSc in Economics and Social Policy Analysis in 1991.

  Lifetime achievements

  World Bank Group Senior Vice-President for the 2030 Development Agenda, United Nations Relations, and Partnerships. Mohieldin has held numerous senior positions in the Egyptian government, including Minister of Investment from 2004 until 2010.

• Megan Crane (USA)

  Graduated from the University of York

  Earned an MA and PhD in English Literature.

  Lifetime achievements

  An American author of more than 80 novels, novellas, essays, and short stories. Crane has written romance novels under the name Caitlin Crews for publishers such as Warner Books, Random House, Harlequin and St. Martin’s Press.

• Mohammad Hanif Atmar (Afghanistan)

  Graduated from the University of York

  Earned an MA in Public Policy, Interantional Relations and Post-War Recovery Studies in 1997.

  Lifetime achievements

  A politician and former Interior Minister of Afghanistan for President Karzai’s cabinet until June 2010. Mr Atmar has also held the positions of Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, and Minister of Education.

• Ratish Nanda (India)

  Graduated from the University of York

  Earned an MA in Conservation Studies in 1998.

  Lifetime achievements

  A noted Indian conservation architect and Projects Director of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Nanda lead the team which oversaw restoration work at Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi until 2003. He currently leads the team implementing the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative in Delhi.

• Sheema Abdul Aziz (Malaysia)

  Graduated from the University of York

  Earned a BA in Archaeology in 2000.

  Lifetime achievements

  Conservationist and President of RIMBA, a Malaysian non-profit research group focused on conservation science. Aziz’s work focuses on conservation ecology of Old World fruit bats, particularly flying foxes.