College Students Celebrate Success

Almost 80 students are expected to attend Shetland College UHI Higher Education (HE) graduation and Further Education (FE) award ceremonies at Mareel today, after completing a wide range of courses in the last academic year. Students will be joined by college staff, family members and invited guests.

Professor Clive Mulholland, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), will preside over both ceremonies; with Diane Rawlinson, Vice-Principal: Further Education, and Garry Coutts, Chair of Court, also in attendance. Lisa Ward of SmartInk Ltd. will be guest speaker at the FE ceremony this evening.

Over the last year almost 250 students have completed their studies across the wide range of courses provided by Shetland College UHI. These include Business, Management, Education, Heritage, Contemporary Textiles, Early Education and Childcare, Social Care, Computing, Carpentry and Joinery, Accounting, Art and Design, Film and Music. Today is a particularly special day for Esther Renwick, who is not only attending in recognition of completing a PhD in Archaeology / Heritage Management, but will also be presented with the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Postgraduate Student of the Year Award.

Construction student, Stuart Manson, will be presented with the Gary Couper Memorial Shield this evening, while Laurie Carter and Reuben Conroy will receive their awards as Shetland College UHI FE and HE Student of the Year. Local business presence this year takes the form of seventeen sponsored class prizes, thanks to the support of The Shetland Heritage Association, The Shetland Arts and Crafts Association, Grieg Seafood, NB Communication, The Shetland Construction Training Group, RSM UK, The A9 Partnership, Business Gateway, Jamieson & Smith, Shetland Wool Week, Shetland Arts Development Agency, Global Yell and Peerie Foxes. All students are to receive a meal voucher which will offer a special one-off discount at Busta House Hotel, Fjara Café Bar, Maryfield House Hotel, Mareel Café Bar, or Phu Siam Thai Restaurant.

Dr Andrew Jennings will also be presented with the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) award for ‘Best Video Conference Tutor’ by Sorcha Kirker, HISA Regional Vice-President: Higher Education.

Councillor Peter Campbell, Chair of the Shetland College Board said: ‘Congratulations to all our graduates and other award recipients. This is the reward for their efforts over the year and we wish them every success in the future. It is important that we continue to provide a diverse range of courses to meet the needs of our students and the Shetland community.’

Willie Shannon, Interim Joint Principal said: ‘It is great to see the students achieving their awards, it is thoroughly deserved. So I would like to say well done to all of them and thanks to the staff at Shetland College UHI for the work they have put in to help everyone get where they are today. Finally, many thanks to the prize sponsors for their contributions which are very welcome.’