Student of the Year

Steven, from the Isle of Lewis, was nominated for the award by one of his course lecturers, Shubham Chowdhury due to his academic and personal achievement.

His nomination said: “Steven has been an exemplary student in every way and his commitment to his new career and returning to learning a few years after leaving school is to be commended. He took all the changes, as well as being the oldest in his class, in his stride and demonstrated great patience along with a guiding hand of common sense to many of his fellow students. Steven is a brilliant example to others of being able to achieve your ambitions with a little bit of life change, even for just a short period of time. Nautical staff found him a pleasure to teach and said he was always very respectful to staff members – which is also true of everybody he encounters”.

Steven is about to enter his final year of training as deck cadet and will return to NAFC in November to complete his studies towards the Deck Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competency, following a very successful sea phase with Northlink Ferries.

Upon hearing of his award, Steven said: “I’m not sure what to say - if I am honest I didn't really expect to win this award but thank you very much for the nomination and I am glad I have done the college proud”.

There is a prize of £150 which will be presented to Steven as soon as possible and he will then go forward for the overall University of the Highlands and Islands student of the year award with an the opportunity to win a further £250 in prize money.

See more details of the Merchant Navy Officer Cadet Programme.