Inverness College UHI students savour success in QUEST for ICE scholarships

Two Inverness College UHI civil engineering students have been successful in their quest to secure Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) scholarships worth £1,500 – seeing off competition from their Scottish counterparts.

Kenna Scott from Nairn and Jamie Nicholas from Holm Mills, Inverness, were part of a group of several Inverness College students, who joined students all over Scotland in vying for one of only two Queen’s Jubilee Scholarship Trust (QUEST) Scholarships from the Scottish Region of ICE, aimed at future leaders of the profession.

The ICE QUEST Technician Scholarship, which was established in 1977 to foster and develop education within civil engineering, offers the students a vast range of opportunities and benefits, including membership of the ICE and financial support of up to £1,500.

 Jamie, 20, who is employed by Morrison Construction and is a first year HNC Civil Engineering student, commented: “I feel my experience at Inverness College UHI has benefited me greatly. Having completed the NC Civil Engineering and almost at the end of my first year of HNC, I cannot thank enough the efforts and commitment of all the staff in the construction department.

 “I was absolutely delighted when I received my confirmation and I am going to use this opportunity to try and advertise Civil Engineering as a profession as many people don’t entirely understand what it is.”

Meanwhile, Kenna, an employee of Moray Council, is currently in her final year of NC Civil Engineering at the College, is hoping to use her funding to progress onto the two-year part time HNC Civil Engineering Programme.

She said: “It is fantastic news for me and I was so pleased to have been chosen for the scholarship, particularly as a woman in construction. My daughter is interested in the civil engineering industry too so it gives her a good benchmark to work from.”

Angus McLeod MBE, Head of School of Construction and Forestry, was thrilled that both scholarships were awarded to Inverness College UHI students, and was thankful to ICE for offering students such a significant amount of support.

Angus said: “I am delighted that the two students have been successful in gaining substantial financial support from the Institution of Civil Engineers at this time. I am also grateful for the support given to the college by all 15 professional institutions connected with construction in the Highlands and Islands, of which the Institution of Civil Engineers Highlands and Islands is one.

“Inverness College UHI and its partner colleges within the University of the Highlands and Islands have close partnership arrangements with these institutions, giving unique opportunities for continuing professional development of the construction workforce and employment opportunities for our students.”

For more information including how to apply, visit www.ice.org.uk/students