Carrie Crowned Inverness College UHI Student of the Year

Inverness College UHI has crowned Inshes resident Carrie Scobbie (32) Student of the Year, earning her a prize of £150 and a place in the University of the Highlands and Islands Student of the Year final.

Carrie was selected out of more than 8000 students for the award after she was nominated by her personal academic tutor of five years, Kathleen Murray. She believed that Carrie’s focus, dedication and consistently high grades made her the perfect candidate for student of the year.

Carrie who has been a student at the college for almost seven years, left school with few academic qualifications, preventing her from fulfilling her ambition of becoming a primary school teacher. However, when her daughter started primary school in 2006, she decided it wasn’t too late to try again.

Starting with an Access course which eased her back into learning, she went on to complete three Highers and this year she will graduate with a first class honours degree in child and youth studies. She has now enrolled to complete a year-long postgraduate diploma in education with the University of the Highlands and Islands, the final stage before becoming a fully registered primary school teacher.

Speaking of her award, Carrie said: “I am absolutely thrilled to pieces to have won Student of the Year. I still don’t believe it’s happened to me.

“Seven years ago I could never have imagined that in a few years’ time I would be studying for a degree and inching closer and closer to my dream of becoming a teacher. The college has been so supportive and, whenever I have doubted myself, my tutors have encouraged me and helped me become more confident.”

Carrie received her prize at the college’s prize giving ceremony on Friday 20 September at Eden Court. She will be put forward for a place in the University of the Highlands and Islands Student of the Year final alongside the other nominees from across the university partnership.

Chief executive and principal of Inverness College UHI, Diane Rawlinson, said: “I pass on my sincere congratulations to Carrie. She has worked so hard and is testament to the fact that it is never too late to pursue your ambitions.

“Our student of the year programme awards those who really go over and above what is required of them. It recognises students with a clear passion, drive and dedication to what they study. I wish her every success for her continued studies and for the future.”

For more information, please contact Dyan Owen at Weber Shandwick on 01462 716 739.