Congratulations are in order for UCL School of Management alumna and Ambessa Play Founder Sara Berkai, who has recently been featured in Universities UK’s 100 Faces Campaign. Highlighting and celebrating the achievements of first-generation university students, the campaign also calls for greater financial support for students whose parents or carers did not attend university.

After graduating from UCL SoM’s BSc Information Management for Business programme in 2018, Sara launched Ambessa Play, a social enterprise creating toy kits and workshops for children (aged 3-15) globally where, for every kit or workshop purchased, a disadvantaged child with low STEM capital receives one for free. Since launching Ambessa Play, Sara has received Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation award, as well as the UN’s Young ICT Leader Award from the International Telecommunications Union.

Sharing her story with Universities UK, Sara informs us that her parents left war-torn Eritrea in the hopes for a better future and, after being born in Khartoum, Sudan, her family relocated to London, where she enrolled in a local school. Highlighting the importance of her education, Sara notes that it radically transformed her life and became the catalyst for her achievements so far.

Discussing her feature in Universities UK’s 100 Faces Campaign, Sara tells us, ‘Being recognised in the Universities UK 100 Faces Campaign is a tremendous honour, particularly as the first from my family to attend university. Studying at UCL was a life-changing experience, greatly expanding my horizons and opportunities. It offered me the opportunity to travel and work in places as diverse as China and California, immerse myself in fascinating modules, and forge long-lasting friendships. My university journey turned my dreams into concrete achievements and served as an exceptional foundation for my future.’

Find out more about Sara’s entrepreneurial journey so far or learn more about Universities UK’s 100 Faces Campaign.