Age proves no barrier to degree success
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An Inverness grandfather proved that age is no barrier to academic success when he graduated from Inverness College UHI along with more than 300 fellow students.
Hugh MacKintosh (60) graduated with a 2:1 BA (Hons) in business and management with human resource management, following in the footsteps of his daughter Tara, who graduated from the same course in 2006.
Former Scottish Government business manager Mr MacKintosh, who lives in Inverness and enjoys spending time with his wife Carole and 18-month-old granddaughter Ava, retired from his civil service role in 2011 and had worked in Go Outdoors before deciding to study full-time.
"I never got the opportunity to go to university when I left secondary school in 1975," he said.
"I got married and had a successful career in the civil service for 35 years.
"But getting a degree was something I had always wanted to do. Retirement gave me the opportunity, but also the fact that the course was offered by a university on my doorstep."
Mr MacKintosh believes his experience of working in business helped him and his fellow students through their studies.
"I really enjoyed the course," he said.
"My IT skills weren’t as hot as some of the younger students’, but I was able to balance that out with my practical experience working in a business environment, and we all supported each other in different ways.
"I was always made to feel very welcome and my fellow students and tutors were so supportive.
"I’m happy in my retirement knowing I’ve got my honours degree.
"That was what I was desperate to do."
Also graduating was student representative Donna MacAngus (35) from South Kessock, who achieved an HNC in events.
She combined her studies with raising her five children and working in the food and beverage team at the college.
She previously studied events and hospitality operations and is now aiming for a degree in events management.
"I have gained so much experience in different types of events and gained more confidence in myself and my abilities," she said.
"The course has provided a range of opportunities to gain experience in the workplace and it’s been wonderful through my studies to be able to volunteer at events including NessCon and Gok Wan’s Fashion Brunch Club.
"My time at Inverness College UHI has been amazing so far. The staff have all been fantastic and are always there to help when you need it.
"You are never alone – there is always someone there to help."
As well as students celebrating the culmination of years of study, special awards were also presented at the ceremony.
Among the recipients was Rachael Bews (25) from Evanton, who was named the college’s Alumnus of the Year.
The award is given annually to a graduate who has made an outstanding contribution to their community or has made significant achievements in art, science or business or in public or academic life.
Having graduated with a first-class honours degree in business and management in 2014, she has gone on to specialise as a digital marketing consultant.
In February she founded ALICAS, a social enterprise based in Edinburgh which gifts bespoke parcels of clothing to women who have fled abusive relationships.
The packs are created using surplus retail stock which would otherwise be sent to landfill or incinerated.
Ms Bews was awarded an RSE Unlocking Ambition Enterprise Fellowship, supported by CREATE, UHI’s centre for enterprise and innovation.
"The University of the Highlands and Islands played a formative role in sparking my passion for and experience of enterprise and entrepeneurship," she said.
"I couldn’t be more delighted to continue working with the university and CREATE on my new venture, ALICAS.
"With the continued support of the university and CREATE, it is now my ambition to create a scalable business model, designed to support as many women as possible."
Professor Chris O’Neil, principal of Inverness College UHI, urged the students to enjoy their chance to celebrate with their friends and family.
"It is my great pleasure to congratulate every single student graduating," he said.
"Graduation is a particularly special time as we celebrate and recognise the successes and achievements of our students in the presence of the people they care about most.
"It is reward and recognition of their hard work and commitment and I am very proud to share in this moment.
"I wish them only continued success as they bring to a close one chapter but embark on another, which I’m sure will include interesting and rewarding careers."
