Nearly 70 students have been rewarded by the University of Aberdeen for their efforts outside the classroom.
The STAR Award is a University scheme recognising those who have undertaken roles to help develop and achieve ‘Aberdeen Graduate Attributes’ - a set of qualities to help prepare students for future employment or further study and which also enhance employability.
Roles students undertake as part of the Award include involvement in Students’ Association sports clubs and societies and volunteering activities associated with the University.
Developed by the University’s Careers Service and the Students’ Association, the STAR Award provides employers with proof of a student’s learning and achievements outside the academic curriculum. Awards can be taken to an employer as evidence that a certain standard has been reached.
University staff, employers and recruiters attended a special prize-giving where the STAR students were given certificates by Professor Stephen Davies, Director of Learning and Teaching.
Students who particularly shone were presented with special awards sponsored by Shell, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, the Careers Service and the Students’ Association. These went to:
- Shell Award for Student Engagement in Employability: Ergun Karasalih
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car Award for Best Reflective ePortfolio: Maxx Livingstone
- Careers Service and Students’ Association Awards for Commendable STAR Interview Performances: Charlotte Kotterman and Holly Rore
Eloise Leeson, Project Officer for the STAR Award Project Officer, said: “The STAR Award is a great way for students to demonstrate their skills and attributes to future employers and we were delighted to recognise the efforts of so many students this year.
“The STAR Award is open to all current undergraduates and taught postgraduates and we encourage as many as possible to get involved.”
There are three levels of STAR Award: bronze, silver and gold. Students completing the Award maintain a reflective ePortfolio diary to record and evidence their skills and attributes, attend a number of supporting skills workshops, and undertake a competency-based interview to assess their achievement of selected Aberdeen Graduate Attributes.
Applications for the STAR Award 2013/14 are now being accepted via the online STAR Award registration form available from the Careers Service website:
Employers interested in delivering, sponsoring or assessing the Award should email Project Officer, Eloise Leeson eloise.leeson@abdn.ac.uk