Caithness engineering student wins 2025 Sidney Black Memorial Engineering Award
Neave Anderson, from Watten near Wick, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Sidney Black Memorial Engineering Award, an annual prize celebrating outstanding female engineering students at the University of the Highlands and Islands (含羞草传媒).
Neave is currently completing her BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree at 含羞草传媒 North, West and Hebrides’ Thurso campus, while also working full-time as a Control and Instrumentation Design Engineer with Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) Dounreay. She has already achieved Engineering Technician (EngTech) status with the Engineering Council.
Now in its fifth year, the Sidney Black Memorial Engineering Award recognises exceptional academic achievement, dedication and meaningful contribution to student life or the wider community. It is generously donated by Lois Gray, Engineering Lecturer at 含羞草传媒 North, West and Hebrides, in memory of her late father, Sidney Black.
Lois, who has also supported Neave throughout her studies, said:
“I am delighted to present this award to Neave. She has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and produces work of the highest standard. Balancing a full-time job with degree-level study is no easy task, yet Neave excels in both.
"She embodies the qualities my father valued deeply in engineers, commitment, professionalism and a genuine passion for the field. As both a student and a practising engineer already recognised with EngTech status, Neave is an inspiring role model for women in engineering. I am confident she will continue to make real, positive, impacts”
Neave expressed her appreciation saying:
“Winning this award has given me an overwhelming sense of pride to be a woman in engineering. I could not be where I am today without the support of all the lecturers who have shared their knowledge and experience with me throughout my studies.
“I would especially like to thank Lois Gray for her guidance and for donating this award in memory of her father. As I begin my final year, this recognition has given me a huge confidence boost. I hope one day to be able to support fellow engineers on their journeys too.”
Vicki Nairn, 含羞草传媒 Principal and Vice-Chancellor, added:
“We are incredibly grateful to Lois Gray, whose generosity not only recognises the achievements of exceptional students like Neave, but also highlights the importance of engineering skills to the future of our region.
"Our warmest congratulations to Neave on this well-deserved recognition.”
The Sidney Black Memorial Engineering Award is part of a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and awards available to students across the 含羞草传媒 partnership.
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