Dedicated Sean named as Student of the Year

A hardworking student who achieved excellent grades has been named as Shetland College UHI Higher Education Student of the Year. Sean Elphinstone from Scalloway completed his BSc degree in computing through the University of the Highlands and Islands in May.

The 28 year old student was nominated for the award by his course lecturer, Euan Robertson. Mr Robertson explained:

“Sean has been an excellent student who produced high quality work and grades throughout the year. He worked tirelessly, being highly motivated and dedicated to his studies. Not only did he do this this year, but he did it last year on the HND and the year before on his HNC. What made Sean’s lecturers particularly proud is that when he hit an academic brick wall, he battled away until he got it sorted. He demonstrated a sheer determination to succeed.”

Mr Robertson continued: “Sean has also been an active student representative throughout his HNC, HND and degree years. He has always engaged in departmental discussions, course team meetings and student representative events. He was willing to give up his personal or class time to do this and engaged with enthusiasm and professionalism.”

Sean was presented with his Student of the Year certificate and a cheque for £150 at the Shetland College UHI graduation ceremony on Thursday 12 September. He will also go forward as a candidate for the overall University of the Highlands and Islands Student of the Year award. He is now embarking on a further year of study to complete his honours year and hopes to gain real life work experience in a part time IT support role.

Speaking about his award, Sean said: “I am absolutely amazed, thrilled and delighted to have received this award. It’s excellent for an individual to be recognised for their achievements in a small place like Shetland. It’s great because it shows the public and potential employers that you have really worked hard at something you really love doing and have dedicated a lot of time on. Each year when I look towards a new challenge to do in future, I visualise that challenge as being complete which gives me a lot of a belief that you can do it, it’s not impossible.”

Shetland College UHI acting principal Irene Peterson welcomed Sean’s accolade saying: “I am absolutely delighted that Sean has been selected as Shetland College UHI Student of the Year. He is truly deserving of this accolade. Throughout his time at Shetland College UHI Sean demonstrated extreme diligence and application to his chosen programme of study, and succeeded in remaining focussed on his goal throughout his three-year degree programme. I wish Sean all the very best in any further study which he undertakes and also in his future career.”

Media contact

Susan Szymborski
Communications officer
01463 279 222
susan.szymborski@uhi.ac.uk