Argyll College graduate Karen is an inspiration to all
A Campbeltown student not only graduated but also won two awards at Argyll College UHI’s annual ceremony in Oban.
Karen Robertson was named Higher Education Student of the Year, and was also voted Most Inspiring Student by the Highlands and Islands Student Association in Argyll, receiving her award from the association’s vice president Natasha Morgan.
As an HNC Administration and IT student Karen worked hard to balance her role as a mum alongside part-time work and health issues of her own and in her immediate family.
She did so with fortitude, determination, humour and a positive attitude, working tirelessly to complete her HNC.
In the words of her tutors: ‘Her bravery and courage is an example to us all. She is truly an inspiration.’
She joined more than 300 students, including others from Campbeltown, and guests in the spectacular setting of the Argyllshire Gathering Halls, Oban, for the college’s annual graduation ceremony.
Guest speaker at the event was David Duke MBE, the founder and chief executive of Street Soccer Scotland, which is a non-profit social enterprise that uses football to help socially disadvantaged adults and young people. He is also Global Ambassador for the Homeless World Cup organisation.
More recently, he set up Change Centre Scotland, a social enterprise aimed at tackling homelessness by a creating personal development and self-management centres.
He was awarded an MBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours List.
David gave an inspirational address, recounting his own story and the importance of his own college education, an HNC in community work, in part, for helping him turn his life around.
Argyll College UHI has also recently been shortlisted in the national College Development Network Awards for Innovation and Digital Learning.