9 July 2001

A student who will graduate from the University of Dundee this week has just been named a finalist in the Young Scottish Software Engineer of the Year Award.

Nicoll Hunt (21) from Forfar has been nominated for his automated teaching facility which he devised for his honours project. He designed software which can create practical IT tests that get students to perform a variety of word processing tasks using Microsoft Word. The software delivers the test electronically over the network, evaluates and marks the performance of the student's actions and offers constructive criticism for any errors made.

Nicoll is one of four finalists vying for the award from ScotlandIS - a professional organisation which promotes e-commerce and IT in Scotland. The winner will be named at the Royal Museum of Scotland in September.

Not the only successful student from Forfar, Craig Johnston will also graduate with a first class honours in applied computing before going on to work for Adulent. Both boys attended Forfar Academy.

Nicoll is not planning a break after graduation but is heading straight to work for Codemasters - a computer games firm which snapped him up straight away. He starts at the end of July in Leamington Spa.

Nicoll and Craig will graduate on Thursday 12 July at 2.15pm in the Caird Hall.ENDS

Contact Jenny Marra, Assistant Press Officer 01382 344910