Khine Pwint Nwe, a graduate of the School of Medicine, has won a major honour at the prestigious 2024-25 British Council Alumni Awards.
The annual international honours, which recognise the outstanding achievements of alumni around the world, celebrate those who used their experience of studying in the UK to make positive contributions to their communities, industries, and countries.
Khine, who qualified for the award after obtaining her MSc Health Informatics at the University of Leeds, won the Science and Sustainability Alumni Award at a recent ceremony.
Originally from Myanmar, Khine began her healthcare journey training as a medical doctor in her home country, where she quickly realised the severe limitations in healthcare access, especially in underserved communities. Her path shifted when she pursued a Master's in Health Informatics at the University of Leeds where she learned how technology and digital innovation could fundamentally transform healthcare delivery with her UK education not only providing cutting-edge knowledge in health informatics but also fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for innovation.
The University of Leeds provided me with the mindset and tools to create lasting impact. This well-rounded foundation has been crucial to my success.
After graduation Khine returned to Myanmar to launch Z-waka, a digital healthcare platform designed to provide continuous medical education (CME) and resources to healthcare professionals in developing countries with the mission of improving healthcare outcomes through scalable, AI-driven solutions.
Khine said “Being selected as a finalist for this prestigious award is an incredible honour and a moment of deep pride. It reflects not just my personal journey but also the collective efforts of those who strive to create meaningful impact in global health. As an alumna of the University of Leeds, where I gained the knowledge and skills to drive innovation in healthcare, I see this recognition as an opportunity to highlight the importance of digital health and capacity building in low-resource settings. Representing the University of Leeds at this level is a privilege, and I hope this platform will inspire further collaboration to strengthen healthcare systems worldwide.”
She continued,” To other aspiring changemakers, especially women in healthcare and technology—your voice and ideas matter. There will be challenges, but resilience, learning from setbacks, and unwavering dedication can make all the difference. My journey has shown me that we don’t need to fit into traditional moulds to create impact; we can carve our own paths. If you believe in your mission, take bold steps, seek knowledge, and embrace opportunities. The world needs more women leading the way in science, health, and innovation—your contributions can shape the future.”
