The Barony Campus of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has been shortlisted for a prestigious national college award.
SRUC has been named as a finalist in Digital Education category in the College Development Network (CDN) Annual Awards 2016 – which aim to celebrate outstanding projects taking place in colleges across Scotland.
The latest commendation comes just weeks after the Barony Campus celebrated winning two national training awards from the Scottish Training Federation (STF).
In the CDN awards the project receiving plaudits was an authentic learning programme – using an on-line platform – which provides Arboriculture students with real-life work experience in tree and woodland management.
The Practical Contract Management project allows students to record digital evidence – such as drone and GoPro video footage.
This initiative has attracted interest from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) with a view to it being rolled out across Scotland.
Barony will now go head to head with Borders College and Dundee & Angus College for the Digital Education award.
Andrew Treadaway, Forestry and Arboriculture Lecturer, said: “This project has really engaged our students – using innovative and creative digital ways to give them relevant skills which developed and built their professional skills suitable for running a commercial business.”
Ali Hastie, Barony Campus e-Learning Developer, said: “We are all delighted that this challenging and exciting project has been shortlisted for another prestigious national award – so soon after picking up the STF award.
“It is great recognition of the projects teams’ hard work, dedication and passion to improve the teaching, and the learning experience for our students.”
The CDN annual awards aim to recognise the talent skills and achievements of colleges, their staff and learners. The awards demonstrate the commitment of colleges – and the dedication and enthusiasm of staff – to ensure students remain firmly at the heart of learning and teaching.
The winners will be announced at the CDN annual awards at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Glasgow on 22 November, 2016.
Photo caption: SRUC Barony’s Arboriculture students celebrate being shortlisted for the CDN awards with a photo taken by a drone camera.
