Aviemore student awarded university scholarship

An Aviemore student has been awarded a scholarship to help her complete an honours degree at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

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Agnieszka Mydlo with Duncan Mackenzie, Kevin Wood and Gary I Campbell

Agnieszka Mydlo (32) is studying for a BA (Hons) in accounting and finance at Inverness College UHI. She has been awarded the 2015 Mackenzie Investment Strategies Ltd Undergraduate Scholarship which provides support to students studying a business discipline in the Inverness and Moray College UHI areas. She was selected for the scholarship for her commitment to study and her impressive academic performance.

“I am delighted to have been awarded this scholarship,” Agnieszka said. “I'm a single mum of two and I work part-time so it has enabled me to continue my studies to degree level. In turn, this should help me attain a career in accountancy while staying in the Highlands. I'm originally from Poland, but have been living in Aviemore for over five years and in the UK for over ten years. I love living in the Highlands and would like to stay here for good.”

The scholarship was set up earlier this year by Inverness and Elgin-based chartered financial planners, Mackenzie Investment Strategies Ltd. It has been developed to encourage more students in the Inverness and Moray area to study locally with the University of the Highlands and Islands and consider careers in finance with Highland businesses.

Kevin Wood, director at Mackenzie Investment Strategies Ltd, said: “In awarding this scholarship, we’re delighted to be able to support both the development of the university in the area and help Agnieszka in her goal of achieving an honours degree.”

Managing director, Duncan Mackenzie added: “Both Kevin and I were the first in our families to go to university and we know how important it was to have access to higher education without financial barriers blocking this career path. As a firm we want to provide the same opportunities to young people in the area and hopefully improve the talent pool for all financial firms in the North of Scotland.”

The scholarship, which is worth £1,250 per year to the successful student, was arranged through the University of the Highlands and Islands’ development office.

The university’s key account director Gary I Campbell said: “The support of local businesses such as Mackenzie Investment Strategies Ltd is tremendously important to the development of the university. Not only did the company set up its own scholarship which Agnieszka has benefited from this year, it has also separately contributed to the university’s general scholarship fund, meaning that even more students can benefit from its support.”

Roddy Henry, depute principal of Inverness College UHI, added: “We are delighted that one of our students has been awarded this scholarship, which is very well-deserved.  The support of businesses such as Mackenzie Investment Strategies Ltd is invaluable in supporting student success and demonstrating the value and relevance of further study.  The accessibility of quality further and higher education is vital to business sustainability and growth and to improving individuals’ employability and career prospects. We wish Agnieszka all the very best as she works towards her goal.”