A student at the Elmwood Campus of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has been shortlisted for a prestigious award recognising an outstanding commitment to learning.
Andrew Ferguson, who completed an HNC in Countryside Management at Elmwood, is down to the final three from nominations across Scotland now battling it out for one of the SQA Star Awards which recognise the individuals who work towards SQA qualifications.
Andrew, aged 28 and from Monifieth in Angus, has been shortlisted in the College Candidate of the Year category following his nomination from SRUC in recognition for his “excellent all round attitude and application.”
During his studies he developed an excellent work ethos and secured a vocational role with the Scottish Wildlife Trust on the remote Handa Island in Sutherland – involving sea bird monitoring and visitor management – while completing his HNC.
'Extra sense of pride'
Andrew said: “The last year at SRUC has been extremely enjoyable as well as challenging and often exhausting. The combination of a full-time course, bird-ringing training, regular volunteering and a four month voluntary placement has meant a lot of 5am starts, long days and late nights.
“But the validation of being nominated for this award by my tutors has added an extra sense of pride. And then to be shortlisted by a more objective committee is extremely flattering.”
Andrew is currently on an internship – jointly organised by SRUC and Scottish National Heritage – working at St Cyrus National Nature Reserve in Aberdeenshire. It was one of just six such posts available in Scotland.
Victoria Pendry, lecturer at Elmwood, said: “During his time at Elmwood Campus Andrew has shown complete commitment to develop both himself and his employability.
“It is a testament to Andrews’s commitment to his chosen career and the natural heritage that he has been shortlisted for this prestigious SQA Star Award.”
The winner of the College Candidate of the Year Award will be announced at the SQA Star Awards ceremony on November 11 at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh.
