Lancaster’s first Sudanese MBA student and previous AMBA Student of the Year has received a new award, after the original was lost when fleeing his home due to civil war.

Husameldin Elnasri showed “exceptional career potential” during his time in Lancaster, and was selected for the accolade in 2012 by the Association of MBAs.

But, forced to flee his home in 2023 when the Sudanese civil war reached Khartoum, he left behind many valued possessions including his Student of the Year award.

Husameldin explains: “Losing the original AMBA award during the war in Sudan is, of course, nothing compared to what so many people have lost, but it still felt like losing a meaningful piece of a life chapter.

“Memorabilia rarely have great material value, yet it carries an extraordinary emotional weight, like old photos and small keepsakes that hold memories, friendships, and moments of becoming.”

After hearing about the loss of the award, Husameldin’s former MBA Director, Dr Chris Saunders, contacted the Association of MBAs who immediately agreed to make a replacement, which was presented at a recent gala dinner.

Husameldin continues: “Receiving a replacement will serve as a reminder not only of recognition but also of renewed kindness and solidarity from Dr Chris Saunders, the AMBA leadership, and the AMBA Team. It’s a quiet, hopeful message worth holding onto: compassion travels far, and small gestures can mean a lot.”

When Husameldin originally received his Student of the Year award, he had been selected from AMBA’s more than 300 accredited business schools. Student of the Year nominees are judged on their exceptional career potential and their ability to act as an ambassador for AMBA accredited programmes, like the Lancaster MBA.

Since completing his Lancaster studies, Husameldin has focused his career on developing his country, including working in food and agribusiness, consulting on development and public policy, and cofounding the Impact Hub Khartoum – an innovation lab, business incubator and social enterprise community centre. In 2015 he was made a Tutu African Leadership Associate, recognising his commitment to transforming the continent and his potential to be a senior leader. He is currently Head of Strategy and Initiatives at BADEA – the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa.

Husameldin says the Lancaster MBA, particularly the Mindful Manager programme, has had a profound impact on his career and leadership. He explains: “It gave me a practical, values-based approach to decision-making and resilience that helped me navigate major career pivots into agribusiness and then build my own consulting practice and an SME and entrepreneurship development centre. It also strengthened my ability to translate corporate strategy into public-sector and political contexts.

“One of my proudest moments was facilitating the creation of Sudan’s transition plan through an intensive three-day retreat that brought together the entire Cabinet and the Prime Minister’s advisors, chaired by the Prime Minister.”

In addition to the learning, Husameldin describes how the MBA also gave him a lasting community. “When I was fleeing the war in Sudan to Cairo under dangerous circumstances and had lost access to my bank accounts, my classmates, now lifelong friends, checked on me constantly and even pooled money to support the journey”, he says. “That solidarity meant a great deal to me, and it remains one of the clearest examples of the programme’s impact well beyond the classroom.”

Dr Chris Saunders said: “It is wonderful to be able to get a replacement award for Husam. His achievement in originally winning the award was incredible at the time, and his career since has shown what a remarkable leader he is.”

Andrew Main Wilson, CEO of AMBA and BGA, said: “Husameldin’s story is a powerful reminder that awards are not just symbols of excellence, but of the values and communities behind them. While nothing can replace what has been lost through conflict, we were honoured to recognise Husam once again and to stand in solidarity with him. His leadership, resilience and continued commitment to development exemplify everything the AMBA Student of the Year Award represents.”

The award was collected from AMBA CEO Andrew Main Wilson at the recent AMBA and BGA Gala Dinner by the current Cyber Executive MBA Director, Avril Palmer-Fye and LUMS Associate Dean for Engagement, Professor Magnus George.