"I walked into University feeling 65 and walked out feeling 21" said Colin Stuart, a 42 year old Dundee man who has just completed an honours degree in Applied Computing at the University of Dundee after starting his return to education on a government training scheme.
"University has changed my life. I have proved to myself that I can achieve attainments I had only ever dreamed of. I have always wanted a graduation photo on the wall and now I'll be able to give one to my mum to hang with pride. It's a great moment."
Colin was a baker to trade until 1990 when, having suffered redundancy twice, Information Technology jobs kept catching his attention. He went along to the Job Centre and asked to be placed on a government training course. Colin completed his HNC then HND at Dundee College and started to consider higher education. The University of Dundee recognised Colin's potential and offered him a conditional place at the University dependant on his college results.
Colin secured his place in the Division of Applied Computing and embarked on his honours degree which saw him taking a 2:1 as well as the lead in many educational issues as class representative.
Janet Hughes, lecturer in the Division of Applied Computing said: "Colin had a positive effect in all his classes - he was always willing ask questions (and often his were the best questions) that helped stimulate discussion and provoke debate, which resulted in better learning environment for everyone in the class." Mature students like Colin tend to apply the content of the curriculum more imaginatively to different possible application domains, and make more "connections" between the different branches of the material that they are covering."
Colin's mum Barbara will be at the Caird Hall on Friday 11th July to see Colin dubbed with his degree. It will be a special moment for both of them as Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 3 years ago. This spurred Colin on to design a computer application to help people with Alzheimer's giving them gentle prompts and reminders to do daily chores and keep themselves safe.
Colin explains: "Alzheimer's sufferers are not able to learn new things so a reminder system to do tasks which are familiar to them is very useful. Downfield Surgery is interested in taking my invention forward and using it with their patients so hopefully it will benefit lots of older people in Dundee and maybe beyond."
Colin's two sons Kevin (15) and Liam (6) will be at the Caird hall to see their dad receiving his degree.
Colin is now Regional General Manager of The Computerstore branch in Dundee managing a company that sells and repairs computers.
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910 j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk