UHI Inverness celebrates Student of the Year winners

A DEDICATED learner and volunteer who could not speak English when he first joined UHI Inverness four years ago has been named Overall Student of the Year 2024 for his positive impact on campus life.

Javier Munoz Moreno, originally from Spain, was chosen as the overall winner of the annual awards for embracing every opportunity to develop his learning, assist others and promote UHI Inverness.

Two other students were recognised with awards:

Overcoming Adversity Award – Rachel Fraser, BA (Hons) Events Management

Most Improved Award – Jordan Fenly, Skillsbuilder 3, Supported Education

The awards celebrate the achievements of students and apprentices at the Inverness Campus and the Balloch Campus, where the Scottish School of Forestry is based. The students have been recognised for a range of reasons, including academic achievement, personal endeavour and exceptional peer support.

Professor Chris O’Neil, UHI Inverness Principal and Chief Executive, said:

"I never fail to be impressed by the dedication, generosity and resolve of our students, and this year’s deserving winners exemplify these fine qualities. No matter what was happening in their lives, they embraced the learning process with enthusiasm and have proven themselves to be true role models. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of them."

The three winners were all nominated by staff members and have each received a voucher.

Overall UHI Inverness Student of the Year 2024  – Javier Munoz Moreno

Javier has progressed from his English for Speakers of Other Languages studies onto a full-time NQ Computing with Esports course. He is a Student Engagement Representative and has volunteered to help run The Larder and The Cubby – the student food bank and a free toiletries resource for students. He has also dedicated his time to being involved in the ICT Helpdesk, digital skills support, student focus groups and teaching Spanish to staff and students.

Javier said:

“This award is not only an acknowledgement for how I am, and what I have done at UHI Inverness, but for what I have overcome. For that reason, this award means a lot to me. When I was nominated, I was quite surprised, as I always say, I didn't do anything special.

“I was just doing what I love doing, which is helping people. When I found out I won the overall award, I was speechless. I just wanted to support the college as much as possible and give back to UHI Inverness all the support I received during these last four years from all the staff members and lecturers; they are all lovely.”

Javier with the staff who nominated him, Lynsey, Kelly and Emma

Javier was nominated by staff members Emma Baillie, Kelly Mackenzie and Lynsey Mason for consistently going above and beyond for the college and the wider community.

Their nomination read:

“Javier manages to maintain his commitment and his various Student Engagement Rep roles alongside his own full-time study and the additional volunteering positions he holds in the community. This keeps him extremely busy, but he is always reliable, focused, and looking for opportunities to be of further help to others, especially those who are disadvantaged. He has thrown himself into integrating and supporting our communities both here on campus and in Inverness more widely, and he really stands out as being deserving of this award.”

UHI Inverness Personal Development Advisor, Leigh Payne, added:

“We have a mutually beneficial relationship with Javier as he gives as much as he receives. He’s always happy to give his time to help out with projects that students can volunteer for, and always with a smile and a friendly approach.”

Rachel Fraser, Overcoming Adversity Award

Rachel, a BA (Hons) Events Management graduate, dedicated herself to improving her grades while enduring health issues and chronic pain after a fall injury.

She was nominated by her lecturer and dissertation supervisor Sinead Brydon who says she has never known a more laser-focussed approach from a student to achieve her dream. As part of her course, Rachel (36) from Muir of Ord also organised a Musically Glitzy charity event which raised £600 for charities, including for the one that is assisting her with her health conditions.

Sinead said:

“I believe Rachel is an ideal candidate for a student of the year award. She has demonstrated strong academic achievement and outstanding improvement to gain her 2:1 Honours degree, shown amazing personal endeavour by overcoming her ongoing and unforeseen personal challenges, and has gone beyond to put on a successful event for charity. I am very proud of Rachel and delighted to have been part of her learning journey.”

Rachel said:

“This award means everything to me as it makes all the work I have devoted to my studies worth it. When I found out, I was so shocked. This year has been so hard as I have been battling with various health conditions that have sometimes made it difficult to get out of bed.”

Jordan Fenly, Most Improved Award

Ralph Gunn and Jordan Fenly

Jordan started his first Supported Education programme in 2021 while still at school and then made the transition to being a full-time student on the Skillsbuilder 2 and 3 courses. He was nominated by his Personal Development Advisor, Ralph Gunn, for the efforts he has made in learning new skills and improving his communication and attitude.

Jordan (20) from Nairn, who has since moved onto the Skills Connect: Create Me course, said:

“I was really happy and surprised when I found out I had won an award. My teachers are really good, and my reading and spelling have improved incredibly, and I do feel a lot calmer and have built better friendships. I’m now looking forward to enjoying new experiences and learning new things this year.”

Ralph said:

“To Jordan’s credit, during his time on the Skillsbuilder 3 programme, he made huge progress and helped to support other students around him. I saw a real change in Jordan as he became very reflective and found strategies to enable him to move forward in a positive way. This fantastic progress also resulted in Jordan being chosen as a candidate to take part in a student focus group for our annual review by Education Scotland.”

Jordan Fenly

All three winners will be presented with their award certificates at the UHI Inverness Graduation and Celebration of Achievement on Friday, 4 October.

Highly commended prizes have been given to five further students – Emma Scobbie, NPA Sports Development; Shannon Thorp, NPA Sports Development; Linzi Dean, Graduate Apprenticeship BA Early Learning and Childcare ; Caragh Burke, HNC Business and Emily Bower, HNC Administration and IT.