The ceremony, held in Paisley’s University of the West of Scotland campus last Tuesday, saw more than 100 awards being presented at the event, including the University’s prestigious Court Medals as well as UWS School awards and endowed prizes.

Pietro Spagnoletti, 25, is the winner of the Renfrewshire Educational Trust prize which is awarded to ‘the Most Distinguished Graduate in the University’. This award is intended for the graduate who has delivered the most outstanding academic results in the University.

Speaking of his accolade, Pietro, who graduated in July this year with a first class Honours degree in Physics, said: “UWS is a great place to study.

“It is a real honour to win the Renfrewshire Educational Trust prize. To be named the Most Distinguished Graduate in the University is an achievement I am immensely proud of.” UWS presents around 200 awards each year across its campuses.

The outstanding students who are selected to receive these awards are drawn from a total of almost 16,000 students across the University’s four campuses. UWS makes awards to students for a range of reasons including recognition of academic achievement; hard work and dedication; and personal endeavour.

Professor Craig Mahoney, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the campus, also commented: “UWS is a student centred university where the support and achievements of our learners is given the highest priority and is dominant in our vision.

“We were delighted to reward students’ academic excellence at this award ceremony.

“At UWS we are keen to recognise the achievement of our students and our prize giving ceremonies provide an ideal opportunity to celebrate their success.”