Kade gets national graduation first
A University of the West of Scotland ( UWS) student has become the first Graduate Apprentice ( GA) to gain a university honours degree in Scotland.
Kade McArthur, of Maybole, who was part of the University’s School of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences, has successfully completed his Graduat e Apprenticeship in BSc Hons IT: Software Development, and has graduated from UWS with a firstclass honours degree.
Dur i n g h i s G ra d u at e Apprenticeship, Kade was working with South Ayrshire Council but has now secured a role as a Compliance Systems Graduate with Jacobs, a global provider of technical, professional, and scientific services.
Kade, 24, collected his degree, alongside 157 of his peers, at the UWS graduation ceremony on the morning of Thursday November 8 at the Hamilton Town House. Right Honourable Dame Elish Angiolini ( pictured), UWS Chancellor presided over the ceremony with Professor Craig Mahoney ( pictured), Principal & Vice- Chancellor of UWS giving the main address.
Commenting on his time at UWS, Kade, who was also shortlisted as a finalist in the Young Software Engineer of the Year Award 2018 for his work on optical character recognition and workflow automation, said: “I feel so fortunate to have had the chance to undertake the Graduate Apprenticeship programme at UWS - it was a fantastic experience and has enabled me to take my career to the next level.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the programme and everyone involved.
“Th e l e v e l o f t r u s t , independence, but at the same time, support I was given has and will continue to shape my future professional career. Staff of the local Maybole Co- op took the charity shop for a week recently and raised £ 900 for The Ayrshire Hospice. Photo ofcheque presentation by staff shows left to right: Martin Quigley from the Hospice, Alastair Travers, Mitchell Glendenning, Kenneth Hutchison and Christine McNeish.
“From being nominated for the YSE award to maintaining high grades, I have no doubt that without being part of this programme, I wouldn’t be in the position I find myself today.”
Professor Craig Mahoney, Principal & Vice- Chancellor of UWS, said: “A huge congratulations must go to Kade for becoming Scotland’s first Graduate Apprentice to gain a university honours degree, we are thrilled he earned his qualification at UWS and are incredibly proud of his fantastic achievement.
“Kade is proof that there are many routes into University, and everyone’s journey is different.”