Student of the year
UHI Argyll Student of the Year 2024
To celebrate the achievements of our students, we are pleased to announce that the 2024 Student of the Year Awards are now open and seeking nominations.
The criteria for the awards has been deliberately left loose to allow scope for a variety of entries for numerous reasons which could include: academic or personal achievement, overcoming exceptional hardships in order to achieve, or exceptional contribution to the student community.
Categories
- Schools Link Award - open to any student undertaking a schools link course with us in the current academic year. This includes NQs Skills for work courses and Foundation Apprenticeships.
- Further Education - open to any student undertaking a full time or short-full time FE course of study (SCQF Level 6 or below) in the current academic year.
- Higher Education - open to any student undertaking a full time HE course of study (SCQF Level 7 - 10) in the current academic year.
- Part Time Award – open to any part time students undertaking an FE or HE course of study in the current academic year.
The FE & HE winners will each receive a prize of £100, a certificate and trophy. The Part Time winner will receive a prize of £50, a certificate and trophy. For the Schools Link category, we will normally select a winner for each High School and an overall Argyll winner. All winners will receive a certificate and trophy, and the overall winner will also receive a £50 voucher.
Closing Dates
- Schools Link Award – Friday 17 May 2024
- FE Award - Friday 7 June 2024
- HE Award – Friday 7 June 2024
- Part Time Award – Friday 7 June 2024
If you would like to make a nomination, please complete the nomination form below and return it to ACMarketing@uhi.ac.uk with the subject title ‘Nomination for Student of the Year’.
2023 Winners
Higher Education Student of the Year
Lochgilphead student, Jamie Divers was named as UHI Argyll’s Higher Education Student of the Year 2023.
Having first enrolled with the college in 2021 as a Further Education student, studying on the Computing with Digital Media NC, Jamie worked exceptionally hard to develop his skills and knowledge within the subject area. In 2022, he decided to advance to the HNC Computing course, but within a matter of weeks he felt it wasn’t quite right. He made the switch to the HNC Digital Design and Web Development course and hasn’t looked back since.
Despite having to play catch-up to his fellow classmates due to switching programs, Jamie’s attitude to learning was superb. He was a valued member of the course who brought a positive dynamic and mindset to all interactions; constantly asking questions, seeking out new ways of doing things, and viewing criticism as an opportunity to further develop.
Jamie was nominated by his course lecturer, Sam Tweedlie, who added: “What also makes Jamie deserving of Student of the Year is his personal circumstances. Jamie has successfully completed the HNC Digital Design and Web Development whilst holding down a part-time job at his local Co-op and making time to be a father to his young daughters.”
Further Education Student of the Year
Rothesay student, Alishia Hendry, was named as UHI Argyll’s Further Education Student of the Year 2023.
Alishia was nominated not once, but twice, by both the Rothesay Assistant Centre Manager, Sheena Finlay, and Centre Administrator, Laura Beattie, in recognition for her hard work, determination and positive attitude.
Last September saw Alishia enter her third year of study with UHI Argyll, having initially started with an introductory course, progressed to the NC Early Education & Childcare course in 2022, and advanced to the Childhood Practice HNC in 2023.
In addition to the challenges many of our students have faced over the past few years, Alishia also has a demanding home life as a single parent with a daughter who has additional support needs. Despite all of this, she always walked through the door with a smile on her face and is a great support to her fellow classmates.
Schools Link Student of the Year
Ella MacNab, 6th year student at Tarbert Academy was named as the 2023 Regional Schools Link Student of the Year for Argyll and Bute.
With a passion to pursue a career in nursing, Ella undertook the Health Sector Schools Link course with UHI Argyll to help prepare her for university. Her mature, caring, and considerate nature shone throughout the course and lecturer Linda Brown – a former nurse herself, praised Ella for the positive influence she will have on the future of nursing.
Undertaking the networked course meant that Ella had the chance to meet other students across Argyll with similar interests to her whilst studying. As it happens, she developed a close friendship with a student from Rothesay, who also planned to move to Glasgow to attend the same course at university. It is reassuring to know that not only will the two continue their friendship on their new venture, but also be a support network to one another whilst being away from home.