Medine Duff of Forres named as University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Inverness Student of the Year
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A LOCAL businesswoman and mother-of-two is the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Inverness Student of the Year.
And, having completed English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), NC Social Science Level 5 and Higher Social Science courses, Further Education Student of the Year, Medine Duff (54), of Corries Way now plans to study a Creative Writing degree.
Medine, who moved to Forres from Turkey in 2009, said: "I started to study on an ESOL course at Inverness College in 2018 because I wanted to improve my English.
"After that I took a Social Science course which went online because of the Covid restrictions but I loved it! I studied History, Geography, Sociology, Psychology and English, passing most with an 'A'.
"I took a Social Science Higher after that. We got face-to-face study near the end of the final term while I studied Psychology, Sociology and English."
She added: "My lecturers were younger than me and I was the oldest in my classes but some of my classmates kindly told me their grannies were a little bit older!
"However, I've been embraced and supported regardless of the age gap, my ethnicity and language barrier."
Medine lives with her husband Eddie, daughter Iona (19) and son Eren (17). She also runs successful catering company, Cafe Medine.
She said: "Studying while running a household isn't easy, especially with two teenagers and a business. But I find it psychologically therapeutic - it's like watering my life tree - and I love learning new, interesting things."
Medine's first experience of further education was as a teenager on a two-year Mapping and Cadastral Survey Associate program in Turkey.
"It wasn't for me," she said, "so I studied a Journalism degree instead then I became an active journalist in Turkey.
"Life is full of surprises. I started a cooking business in Scotland because my English wasn't good enough for a journalism job here. But my heart still beats for writing and it directed me to creative writing, always my dream, and why I started at Inverness College."
UHI Inverness recently announced its five winners of its Student of the Year Awards, celebrating the achievements of students and apprentices at the Inverness Campus and the Scottish School of Forestry.
This year’s winners have been recognised for reasons including academic achievement, overcoming adversity, personal endeavour and exceptional peer support.
While accepting her Further Education Student of the Year award, Medine Duff said: "Winning this is like a dream; I am very grateful. I've been a student for three years at UHI Inverness and enjoyed every day. I was embraced by my lecturers, personal development advisors and classmates."
Medine's History teacher and tutor, Tracy Kennedy, nominated her for the accolade.
In a notification email, she said: "Every year, lecturers, PATs, and PDAs get to nominate a student from each year group who they feel has shown academic excellence, overcome adversity, shown excellent personal development, or been involved in some form of community work.
"The staff of Higher Social Science would like to nominate you. Over the year you have worked tremendously hard, been a friendly and positive member of the class, and dealt with any issues in a sensitive and mature way."
Medine received the news whilst on holiday in Turkey. She was awarded a £100 Amazon voucher which she is donating to one of Inverness College's charities.
She said: "I cried with happiness, appreciation and honor when I received the email. My family and friends shared my happiness ... and I told my children 'You can't catch me now!'"
Ms Kennedy added: "Medine is an excellent example of how studying hard, raising a family and running your own business can work - especially as English is not her first language."
