Students honoured at UHI North, West and Hebrides graduation and celebration of achievement

Graduates and award winners celebrated their achievements with friends, family, and guests at the UHI North, West and Hebrides’ Graduation and Celebration of Achievement ceremonies in Fort William, Stornoway, and Thurso this month.

Addressing the graduands, Lydia Rohmer, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said:

“You have reached an incredible milestone in your lives by graduating today. Embarking on a learning journey like this is a true adventure, and, like any adventure, it can be daunting. It requires self-determination, passion, an open mind, and the ability to adapt to whatever you may encounter along the way. It demands resilience and strength to sustain such a journey and see it through to the end. With passion and hard work, you can achieve anything. I hope your time with us has opened many doors of opportunity for you and has prepared you not just for the world of work, but for a life well lived.

“Graduation is the most important date in the college calendar. It embodies what we do and why we exist. It is wonderful to chat with students, their friends, and family to hear more about their individual learning journeys and time with us. We are proud to celebrate the wonderful achievements of students completing their studies or graduating from a wide range of subjects in further education, work-based education, and higher education up to postgraduate level. This reflects the demand for lifelong learning in both life and work, at any age, and the needs of our employers for a highly skilled workforce.”

Fort William ceremony, Wednesday 18 September

In Fort William, around 90 students attended the ceremony, which was led by Master of Ceremony, Tracy Kerr. Sarah Bruce, former UHI North, West and Hebrides curriculum leader, led the academic procession as mace bearer, with Gary Robertson, former Strongman champion and semi-professional fiddler, delivering this year's guest speech. Gary reflected on the various pathways that led to his rewarding career as a mechanic but also pursuit of his lifelong passions. He joined UHI North, West and Hebrides music lecturer and well-known Gaelic folk singer Rachel Walker in a performance of ‘The Braes of Loch Eil’ during the ceremony, which also included an original piece by HND Music student Mandy Cameron and friends, entitled ‘This is All’, about graduation.

Staff and students were also recognised including:

• Shaun Escott, UHI North, West and Hebrides maritime and aquaculture lecturer, winner of the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association ‘Above and Beyond’ award for the third consecutive year.
• UHI Snow Sports Club, winner of the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association Sporting Club of the Year. The prize was accepted by club committee member and BA (Hons) Adventure Tourism Management student Edward Yearsley.
• Donna Marie Glodzinka, an HNC Business student and winner of the Scottish Qualifications Association (SQA) Student of the Year Award.

Stornoway ceremony, Friday 20 September

In Stornoway, around 40 students attended the ceremony, which was led by Master of Ceremony, Joe MacPhee. Joanna Peteranna, Chair of our Outer Hebrides Local Advisory Committee, led the academic procession as mace bearer, with Margaret Macleod, Chief Executive Officer of Harris Tweed Hebrides, delivering this year's guest speech. Margaret encouraged students to celebrate their island roots and build personal and professional connections through these links.

Students were also recognised for several awards this year, including: 

• Jamie Duncan, The Comunn na Gàidhlig Award for Merit in Gaelic – Year one
• Jane Macmillan, Meadhanan Gàidhlig Alba Award – Year two
• Calum Friseal, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Gaelic Award – Year three.
• Myunghee Choi, Scarr-Hall Memorial Trust Award. Myunghee studied NPA Bakery, NPA Professional Cookery and NC Cookery and now works in the Laxdale School Canteen.
• Joshua Begent, The Institution of Engineering and Technology Award, UHI North, West and Hebrides, Stornoway campus.
• Lola Gyenes, a BA (Hons) Sustainable Development student, winner of the UHI North, West and Hebrides’ Student of the Year.
• Ewan Armstrong, James Hunter Dissertation Award. Ewan graduated with a BA (Hons) History and is now doing the MLitt History.

Thurso ceremony, Wednesday 25 October

In Thurso, around 70 students attended the ceremony, which was led by Master of Ceremony, Professor Stuart Gibb. Graham Birnie, Chair of our North Local Advisory Committee, led the academic procession as mace bearer, with entrepreneur and Board of Management member, Struan Mackie, delivering this year's guest speech. Struan shared his diverse career journey, highlighting that his return to Thurso to start a distillery in his hometown was made possible by a job at the college.

Staff and students were also recognised including:

• Dr Iain Robertson, from the UHI Centre for History was presented the HISA ‘Best Research or Dissertation Supervisor’ Award for his exceptional dedication to supporting students with their dissertations.
• Parneet Kaur and Fraser Russell, BA (Hons) Professional Golf students in Dornoch, were awarded with a HISA Half Blue.
• Taylor Kerr, BA (Hons) Professional Golf graduate, was awarded HISA Sports Person of the Year. He was named the Scottish University Individual Golf Champion this year. He also captained UHI Golf to the team final of the competition.

Closing the ceremonies, Derek Lewis, Chairman of the Board of Management of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said:

“I would like to congratulate all our graduates and thank your families and friends for their support. I wish you all the very best for the future, whatever path you choose. This is a particularly special occasion as it marks the first graduation ceremony for UHI North, West and Hebrides, following the merger of UHI North Highland, UHI Outer Hebrides, and UHI West Highland on 1 August 2023.

"I hope the qualification you have earned will serve you well, whether you are continuing in or returning to a job, undertaking further training, or planning to continue your studies. The knowledge and skills you have gained provide a solid foundation, and we will be here to support you in the future, whenever the time is right, as part of your lifelong learning journey.”