Barra mother does the double as student of the year 22/7/08
A mother of six sons from the Isle of Barra, who left school at 15 with no qualifications, has been named both the Lews Castle College UHI and UHI learning centres’ student of the year after gaining a degree.
Double winner Christina MacNeil, 41, achieved her bachelor of arts degree in child and youth studies after studying part-time at the small learning centre on Barra which is part of Lews Castle College UHI, a partner in the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands.
Her university-level studies have already helped her to achieve promotion to production manager at the fish factory Barratlantic where she has worked for nearly 20 years.
Irene Donnelly, administrator of Lews Castle College UHI, Barra, commented: “Christina always knew that she would finish her degree and worked steadily towards her goal, despite the major academic demands. She would be a rich woman if she could bottle her strategy and sell it."
Christina explained: “This degree is something I wanted to do for myself - it has given me great personal satisfaction and I can’t express how pleased I am. With the fishing industry so unpredictable, and a large family to care for, I also wanted to learn new professional skills that would give me other employment options in a range of good careers, perhaps even teaching.
“I am indebted to Lews Castle College UHI and the local learning centre, particularly Irene Donnelly, for giving me this massive opportunity – and I’d recommend returning to education to anyone. Just pop along to your local learning centre and dip your toe in the water. You can find the time and motivation, especially with such excellent support, as I have found.”
Dr Iain Morrison, UHI head of lifelong learning, paid tribute to Christina as a worthy winner of the learning centres’ award and said: “She epitomises why we are creating a university for the Highlands and Islands. Without UHI and the support of her local learning centre, she would not have gone on to complete her degree and achieve a management position with her employer on the island.
“Lifelong learning, second chances, flexible delivery, the retention and development of local people in fragile remote communities, our contribution to the skills and employability agendas – it’s all there in Christina’s story.”
David Green, principal of Lews Castle College UHI, added: “We are very proud of Christina and felt she was deserving of our own student of the year award. She is an excellent beneficiary of the partnership that UHI brings to the region, but she’s also a tremendously committed student who has provided a role model for many others.”
Christina, whose sons are aged from 21 to seven, has won £100 from each award giver and now goes through as a candidate for the overall UHI student of the year title, competing against local winners from all the partners in the network of colleges and research centres across the region.
Proud husband Michael and sons Iain, Donnie, Michael, Martin, Sean and Christopher will be rooting for her!
