A Perth UHI student has received the institution’s Student of the Year Award.
Erica Lo Presti, BEng (Hons) Aircraft Engineering, is among a number of inspirational students of the year across the UHI partnership.
The awards recognise exceptional achievements, including academic, personal resilience and outstanding contributions to their peers and communities.
Winners from each UHI partner across the Highlands and Islands go forward to be considered for the ‘Overall UHI Student of the Year’ award.
UHI Perth said Erica’s award recognised her academic success, her passion for aviation and her drive to make it more inclusive, demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication throughout her degree.
She commented: “When I was notified that I won the UHI Perth Student of the Year 2024, it came as a surprise.
“I worked hard to obtain my degree, and although I might have felt discouraged sometimes, I knew that all the hard work was necessary to work in my dream field.
“And when I realised that I had been awarded, I felt grateful that other people noticed my efforts and dedication.
“This recognition recharged my motivation to continue pursuing my education and advancing toward my goals.
“I am also glad that this award is bringing attention to my final-year project.”
Erica balanced her studies and part-time work as a student engineer at Perth’s TPL Vision UK and contributed to projects in mechanical design, printed circuit board assembly, and control engineering.
Her final-year project, adapting a Piper PA-28 cockpit for pilots with right-hand hemiparesis, showcased her commitment to accessible aviation.
She received many awards during her time at UHI Perth, including the Best Aircraft Engineering Student and the Sidney Black Memorial Engineering Award.
She was also runner-up in the ‘outstanding contribution from a university student’ category at the Herald Higher Education Awards.