CDN College Awards 2025: Triple finalist success for UHI North, West and Hebrides
UHI North, West and Hebrides has been named as a finalist in three categories at this year’s CDN College Awards 2025.
With a record-breaking 199 submissions, the awards celebrate the talent, skills, and achievements of colleges, their staff, and learners, highlighting innovation and excellence across Scotland’s college sector.
The college’s finalists include:
- Adam Hutchison, a Fort William based music student shortlisted for Student of the Year.
Adam (20) overcame initial worries about studying on campus to become an inspiration to his peers. He doesn’t let his cerebral palsy define him, demonstrating ambition, determination and resilience throughout his NC Music/DJing with Sound Production course. From DJing at lunchtime on campus to performing live across Lochaber - and even being recognised for his sets in his local McDonalds – Adam has thrived as a student and is now continuing his journey with an HNC Music.
- For Peat’s Sake, a partnership with NatureScot’s PEATLAND Action, shortlisted for the Innovation and Research Award.
Led by Professor Roxane Anderson, an expert in peatland restoration at the college’s UHI Environmental Institute in Thurso, the ‘For Peat’s Sake’ project supports Scotland’s climate goals through targeted upskilling in peatland restoration. The project has already led to the delivery of several short courses and contributed to a wider peatlands strategy to support further skills development in this area.
- Student Voices of the Highlands and Islands, a student-led digital ambassador programme, shortlisted for the Marketing and Communications Award.
Student Voices of the Highlands and Islands, a student-led digital ambassador programme, has been running at UHI North, West and Hebrides for two years, and sees students paid the living wage to create digital content about their experience as a student living in a rural and island location, build their CV, and develop valuable skills.
Lydia Rohmer, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said: “These awards shine a light on the transformative work happening in colleges across Scotland, and I’m incredibly proud that our college is being recognised among them as a finalist in no less than three awards categories. Despite the challenges facing the sector, our staff and students continue to innovate and inspire. I would like to congratulate everyone involved - especially Adam Hutchison, our college student of the year, who is now shortlisted to become Scotland’s College student of the year - his determination, creativity, and resilience exemplify the spirit of UHI North, West and Hebrides.”
Winners will be announced at a celebration ceremony in Glasgow on Thursday 4 December.