A TALENTED Johnstone student who passed his university exams with flying colours has told how he defied the advice of a teacher who thought he shouldn’t even go into higher education.
Andrew Campbell, 28, graduated with distinction from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) last week with a Master of Science degree in project management during a ceremony at Paisley Abbey.
His success continued when he also won the Scottish Student of the Year crown for his dissertation at the Association for Project Management (APM) Scotland Awards.
And there was further joy for Andrew when he was shortlisted for the APM National Student of the Year prize, with that ceremony taking place in London on Monday night.
All of his achievements come despite a high school teacher once telling his parents that he shouldn’t go to university and would be better off becoming an apprentice.
Andrew, who was born in Paisley, first started civil engineering studies at UWS in 2011, before undertaking a module in project management which inspired him to do a postgraduate course in the same subject.
He is now working at Ryden LLP on projects including Buchanan Wharf, in Glasgow, and hopes to one day become a partner.
Andrew said: “It feels great to have graduated. It’s been eight years of study and, after all that time, I just wanted to pass but I was ecstatic to get a distinction.
“It was then surreal to be named Scottish Student of the Year and even more so to get the chance to go to London for the national ceremony.
“UWS has played a big part in that. It gave me the confidence I needed to really push myself.”
Professor Craig Mahoney, principal and vice-chancellor of UWS, who presided over the Paisley Abbey graduation ceremony, said Andrew deserves “huge congratulations.”
“We are very proud to hear of his further achievements,” added Professor Mahoney.
“He is an incredible example of someone for whom higher education has made a real difference and who will now go on to make a real impact in his field following his studies at UWS.
“From everyone at the university, we wish Andrew continued success.”
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