Outstanding graduate apprentice named UHI Inverness Student of the Year 2026
A graduate apprentice who made a major contribution to campus life while achieving top grades, working full time and volunteering abroad has been named as UHI Inverness Student of the Year 2026.
Amy Mustarde is studying a Civil Engineering Graduate Apprenticeship at UHI Inverness while working as a structural engineer at engineering consultancy firm Fairhurst. She won the award for being an ‘excellent member of the academic and social communities’ whose work deserves to be showcased as “an exemplar of a student and citizen”.
The third-year apprentice was recently named the Regional Winner of the Women in Property Student Awards and received the Quest award for apprentices from the Institution of Civil Engineers. She travelled to Romania with the international aid charity Blythswood last summer to support underprivileged children and has given talks at her local high school about graduate apprenticeships.
On campus, Amy has established the badminton club and Christian Union group, organised many social activities for students and was an excellent STEAM ambassador.
Amy got involved in running activities for her fellow students because many of them were living away from home for the first time to study at Inverness and she wanted to alleviate any isolation or loneliness they may be experiencing.
Amy said:
“I wasn’t expecting to win, that is for sure. It was a really nice surprise and I’m grateful to have been nominated – all my lecturers at UHI Inverness have been really supportive. I love what I’m doing and the company I work for, and a graduate apprenticeship means I have four years of work experience and have gained a lot of practical experience that will be valuable to an employer.”
She was nominated by Construction Technology lecturer Giannis Zappas, who is her personal academic tutor.
He said:
“Amy has achieved consistently the highest grades of her year group and submitted remarkable engineering solutions through her coursework assignments for the different modules. Amy is a studious person with an eagerness for learning and shares her experience with her peers altruistically.”
Amy will be presented with the UHI Inverness Student of the Year 2026 certificate at the UHI Inverness Graduation Ceremony in November.
The standard of entries was extremely high across the curriculum this year. As a result, three other nominated students, Mhari Ross, Alistair Campbell and Dylan Lindsay, were highly commended for demonstrating excellent dedication, growth and peer support, as well as strong engagement in social, voluntary and employment opportunities on campus.
Mhari Ross, a third-year Geography BSc (Hons) student, was nominated on behalf of the teaching team by her lecturer Karen Marshall who said her positivity, passion for science and dedication to her programme has been inspiring for everyone.
Mhari said:
“It is really exciting to see that all my hard work has paid off. I've genuinely enjoyed everything I've been involved in throughout my time at university so far, so it was amazing to receive that recognition. I was delighted to hear that I had been highly commended and felt very grateful that the work I've put in had been recognised. I see it as a badge of excellence that I can add to my CV, and I hope it will help me stand out in future job applications when I finish university next year. It's something I'm very proud of.”
Mhari and lecturer Margaret Carlisle
Alongside her studies, Mhari worked as a STEAM Technician Intern at UHI Inverness, took part in UHI’s Industry Insights Programme, took a role as an Environmental Consultant intern last summer and is working in Perth this summer for Network Rail's Off-Track team as a Saltire Scholar.
Alistair Campbell studied National 5 English this year and volunteered at lunch clubs, wellbeing events and as a Wellbeing Ambassador on campus, while fundraising and volunteering for Diabetes UK.
He was nominated by Tracey Cleary, a counsellor on the Wellbeing Team, who said:
“Alistair is truly exceptional because of the personal journey he has undergone and the positive, strong impact he has made on the UHI Inverness community and beyond.”
Alistair said:
“I still can't really believe I got nominated and I am so grateful for getting highly commended. I am hoping it will benefit me in a multitude of areas. Studying at UHI Inverness over the last academic year has been amazing. I have met so many inspirational and motivating people who have gone above and beyond and made studying a pleasure. Over the summer I am looking forward to further volunteering for Together Type 1, training for the Loch Ness Marathon and spending time preparing for SWAP Applied Science in the next academic year.”
Alistair and Tracey
Dylan, a Sport and Fitness Level 5 student, set a high standard for his peer group by consistently demonstrating exemplary character, professional conduct and inner strength. He also represented UHI Inverness at the National College Finals as a member of the football team.
Sport lecturer Jed McKernie said:
“Dylan’s journey through the programme has been inspiring to observe, showing meaningful development both personally and academically. His story reflects outstanding personal growth.”
Professor Chris O’Neil, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI Inverness, said:
“The standard of entries this year was incredibly high, and I want to congratulate all nominated students - you should be very proud of your achievements and the credit you bring to UHI Inverness. Amy stands out as an inspiring, hardworking and highly-motivated individual. This award recognises her commitment to her studies and her industry, and her drive to improve the lives of other people.”