The Engagement and Partnerships team at the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has won Team of the Year at the Memcom Excellence Awards 2026. The award recognises the team’s innovation and leadership in creating the inaugural #WeAreInternational Awards in 2025.
The team leads initiatives from concept to delivery, working with colleagues across UKCISA to bring together expertise and create spaces for members to connect and learn, bring international student perspectives into sector conversations, and build partnerships that extend UKCISA’s reach and influence. Together, these strands help UKCISA respond to member priorities and improve the international student experience.
They developed the #WeAreInternational Awards from the ground up: shaping a new programme to recognise good practice, celebrate the people who strengthen the international student experience to enable them to achieve their potential, and share positive stories across the education and skills sector. Bringing student stories together with members’ experience also gives UKCISA an evidence base to inform its policy positions and advocacy, as well as the guidance it develops for members. That same ambition runs through the team’s wider work across events, communications, student voice, membership, strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement.
Yinbo Yu, Head of Engagement and Partnerships, said:
‘This award means a great deal because it recognises how we work: we lead ambitious projects, bring colleagues and partners together, and keep the experiences of students and members at the centre. I’m immensely proud of the team’s creativity, commitment and the value we create together.’
Tina Renshaw, Chief Executive of UKCISA, said:
‘The team’s work makes UKCISA’s mission tangible. It turns what we hear from students and members into stronger relationships, better-informed policy and practical value for the sector. I’m delighted to see the team’s leadership recognised with Team of the Year.’
UKCISA was also shortlisted for three other awards: Best Event (Non-Celebratory) for UKCISA Annual Conference 2025, Best Celebration Event for the 2025 #WeAreInternational Awards, and the CEO Leadership Award for former Chief Executive Anne Marie Graham.
