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Africa Alumni Association

Our alumni network

Our Africa Alumni Association is a great way to socialise, meet new people and network to support your career. Through the Association, recent graduates can benefit from the expertise of experienced alumni, who can assist them with navigating Africa's competitive job market. Additionally, alumni can also support prospective students by sharing their university experiences and offering advice with university applications.

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Africa Alumni Fellow

Dhana Ramasamy, Finance Director of Nando's, is the Africa Alumni Fellow. Dhana achieved her Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Strategic Management MSc from the University of Derby. With over 18 years of experience in the retail sector, she is a member of Nando’s Botswana Executive Committee and is passionate about community development, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She is currently an Executive Secretary for the Botswana Tamil Cultural Association, an Executive Member of the CIMA Botswana Branch and a Treasurer for the Botswana Accountancy College (BAC) Alumni Association and the Woman and Sport Association of Botswana (WASBO).

Find out more about Dhana's journey

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I am excited to support the University of Derby's alumni community in Africa by sharing my career journey and supporting the delivery of engagement opportunities and other initiatives with my fellow alumni.

Dhana Ramasamy
Africa Alumni Fellow
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Dhana's journey

Find out more about Dhana's career from the University of Derby to becoming the Finance Director of Nando's in Botswana.

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Our latest Alumni news

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UK researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind bespoke AI system designed to assess coral health and detect early stress, helping to prevent restoration projects from failing.

Posted: 14 April 2026
Ocean King with University of Derby academics in the Cavendish Building
Derby-based family firm lands major UK innovation deal

A seafood business founded by a family who fled Vietnam on fishing boats and rebuilt their lives in the UK has secured major government-backed funding.

Posted: 9 April 2026
Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Derby sat next to Darren Leigh, CEO at Unipart signing partnership at a table
University of Derby strengthens its global industry network with new Unipart partnership

The University of Derby and Unipart have signed a partnership agreement, aimed at creating new opportunities for students, driving sustainable growth across the region and developing skills and innovation for sustainable supply chains.

Posted: 19 March 2026
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Major international tour becomes first to meet global hearing protection standard

Multi-award-winning rock band Biffy Clyro has made global live music history by becoming the first international tour to achieve certification for responsible sound management.

Posted: 3 March 2026
A professor is pictured smiling on a stage after winning a prestigious award.
Coral research pioneer wins national award for outstanding research supervision

A world-leading academic has won a prestigious award, recognising his commitment to mentoring the next generation of marine scientists, leading to global impact.

Posted: 17 November 2025