Three #STEM students from Cambridge Regional College win annual awards from prestigous society

Garry Reed, 46, Josh Carter, 22, and Andrew Curtis, 52, were announced as winners of the annual awards from The Institution of Engineering and Technology.

The trio are electrical engineering students on the HNC course at CRC. They will receive their official certificates in a ceremony at Cambridge University in October.

Philip Zimgast, Chair of the Cambridge IET, said: “It was a real pleasure to meet Gary, Josh and Andrew and to announce their receipt of IET awards for their excellent achievements at CRC. All three have shown great commitment to their work and studies and growing technical knowledge, all of which are important to success in the engineering profession. I wish them success in the future and would encourage them to make use of other support and opportunities the IET can offer them in their professional lives.” 

Vernon Boyd, Treasurer of the Cambridge IET, added: “For students in electronics to be rewarded for excellence is always worthwhile, hence the Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET) awarding Andrew, Garry and Josh prizes in acknowledgment.”

Garry, of Saffron Walden, decided to come back to college after a 30-year break from the classroom.

He said: “I didn’t like school so thought why not come back and see if I can do better second time round. I used to leave everything to the last minute in my school days but at college I was organised and enjoyed the learning. There’s a mix of different people and we all supported each other. It’s been really good. I’m considering going on to do the HND or PHD.”

Josh, of Witcham, is a multi-skilled engineer with GPS Pipes of Huntingdon, and came to study the HNC to further his education. He said: “It’s broadened my knowledge. The facilities are good at CRC and it was good to be part of a programme with a definite learning plan in place.”

Andrew, of Ely, is an electrical technician manager with Inca in Cambridge and enjoys widening his knowledge with a range of different courses most years. He said: “This time I wanted a course that would complement my work and this one has been perfect.” 

HE Electronic Engineering course Tutor Dr Bassam Omar thanked Philip Zimgast, the IET manager, for the continuous support for CRC engineer learners.

Bassam said: “The IET provides cash prizes and award certificates which reward our learners for their achievement. We are extremely lucky to have motivated learners who  work extremely hard and have high attendance records despite work and family commitments. They have achieved Distinction in every unit which confirms the deep learning and understanding of the subject.”