UHI North, West and Hebrides triumphs at the 2025 CDN College Awards

UHI North, West and Hebrides celebrated a night of success at the prestigious 2025 College Development Network (CDN) College Awards last week, winning one overall category and taking home several further commendations.

The CDN College Awards, one of Scotland’s leading celebrations of innovation in further education, received a record 199 submissions for awards this year. 

Winning the overall category on the night, the Innovation and Research Award was presented to Professor Roxane Andersen and the Environmental Research Institute team for its “For Peat’s Sake” project. In collaboration with NatureScot’s Peatland Action, the project addresses climate goals through peatland restoration and plays a vital role in upskilling individuals in this critical field. 

UHI North, West and Hebrides was commended in the Marketing and Communications Award category. Pictured are representatives from the Marketing team who picked up the award.

The college’s Digital Student Ambassador Programme, an initiative designed to empower students to create digital content about their experiences living and studying in rural and island locations, received a commendation in the Marketing and Communications category. This initiative provides students with valuable skills, a paid living wage, and a unique opportunity to showcase the benefits of studying in the Highlands and Islands. 

Adam Hutchison was commended in the Student of the Year category. He is pictured with his parents and his lecturer Ally Murray.

Adam Hutchison, a music student from Fort William, was commended in the Student of the Year category. Adam, who has cerebral palsy, has overcome significant challenges to thrive in his NC Music/DJing with Sound Production course. From performing live across Lochaber to DJing at his local McDonald’s, Adam’s resilience, determination, and creativity make him an inspiration to his peers. He is now progressing to an HNC Music course at UHI. 

UHI North, West and Hebrides was also part of a joint submission with other colleges for the Employer Connections Award. The submission recognised the successful delivery of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Scotland Academy pilot course. The college’s Fort William campus, represented by Martin Johnston, a lecturer in civil engineering, played an integral role in developing this key industry partnership. 

Lydia Rohmer, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, expressed her pride in the college’s achievements: 

"These awards highlight the incredible work being done by our staff and students, and we are extremely proud to see our efforts recognised at such a high level. Despite the challenges facing the sector, UHI North, West and Hebrides continues to lead with innovation and a commitment to quality education. I would like to congratulate everyone involved, especially Professor Roxane Andersen who was awarded the UHI NWH Innovation and Research Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to research and innovation within our region.

I would also like congratulate our student Adam Hutchison who truly embodies the spirit of our college with his determination and creativity. His success is an inspiration to us all."

The college also celebrated the achievements of other UHI partner colleges and all the finalists, whose work across Scotland’s further education sector was honoured during the event.