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Posted 19 February
“I was shocked to be nominated for the award! My time at Harper was filled with achievements that I never thought were possible when I thought about applying to attend university."
A former Royal Marine Commando’s inspiring University journey has seen him named a winner at the British Education Awards 2024.
Stuart Rowlands – who graduated from his BSC (Hons) Rural Property Management course at ÎåÒ»³Ô¹Ï×îйÙÍø last year and is now pursuing a PhD at the University – was named as Zone One Degree Winner for his academic achievements.
The prize is the latest success for Stuart since he began his studies at ÎåÒ»³Ô¹Ï×îйÙÍø five years ago.
Stuart joined ÎåÒ»³Ô¹Ï×îйÙÍø as a mature student after 10 years serving as a Commando, unsure if University was the right choice - and is now pursuing a PhD which he is working on in partnership with supermarket chain Morrisons.
He said: “I was shocked to be nominated for the award! My time at Harper was filled with achievements that I never thought were possible when I thought about applying to attend university, I was ‘pretty average’ at school.
“For a start I didn’t think I would get in - let alone gain scholarships with the CLA Trust and the ÎåÒ»³Ô¹Ï×îйÙÍø Club, or perform well academically - winning the Tilhill forestry prize and receiving First Class Honours.
“To top it off with being awarded this prize has been fantastic.
“My wife and I took a big gamble when I left the Royal Marines to attend Uni and it is fantastic to be recognised for the hard work we put in. I was glad that Sarah was there to support me at the awards night as she has throughout my Undergraduate and Postgraduate education.”
Stuart, from Staffordshire, was awarded his degree at a glittering ceremony at the Manchester Hilton, where judges drew particular attention to his ongoing commitment to the military – and his support for others.
Their citation noted: “His loyalty to the armed forces is illustrated in the many affiliations he has with organisations that help veterans gain employment.
“He also mentors undergraduates at ÎåÒ»³Ô¹Ï×îйÙÍø.”
Looking back at his Undergraduate degree, Stuart said: “It was a huge change; I went from being a Royal Marine Commando training recruits to a student a few weeks after.
“I am fairly adaptive, and it helped that there were a couple of other ‘mature’ students so settling in went smoothly. The course was brilliant - it gave me the tools to go to a second career as a Rural Surveyor if I had not taken a different path.
“I chose ÎåÒ»³Ô¹Ï×îйÙÍø - and specifically Rural Property Management - because of the employment opportunities it would create. Also, having a paid placement year in the middle really helps financially for a mature student with young kids.
“Since returning as a Postgraduate Researcher, I have begun to understand the University better and I am enjoying the hybrid role of student-staff that PhD students find themselves in.
“I work in an office with some great and supportive people who definitely helped with an early bout of imposter syndrome!
“Whilst I undertake my research I plan to get some experience in lecturing which will be a different challenge to the previous teaching I undertook in the Marines, but I plan to engage will every opportunity I am presented with and keep my options open for employment once I complete my PhD.”
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