News
Celebrating student success through the Careers Service
Students have been recognised for their exceptional contributions to services outside of the classroom during a recent Student Celebratory Event run by the University’s Careers Service
Published on 30 April 2025
Students at the University of Dundee have been recognised for their exceptional contributions to services outside the classroom during a recent Student Celebratory Event run by the University’s Careers Service. There were a number of programmes recognised including the Dundee Plus Award, Leadership Mentoring Programme, the School Volunteering Programme and Volunteer Organisation of the Year.
The awards celebrate the wide-ranging impact of student contributions and highlight how working with the Careers Service can help students gain recognition for the skills and experience they develop alongside their degrees.
The Dundee Plus Award is designed to help students maximise the impact of their time at university. Whether they’re volunteering, working part-time, representing their classmates, or taking part in societies and sports, the award helps them reflect on these experiences and gain formal recognition that can boost future job or postgraduate applications.
This year’s Dundee Plus Award winners are:
- 1st place – Tamara Toma
Tamara is a 4th year Scots and English Law Dual Qualifying student. The judges were impressed by her work with senior ambassadors to develop resources and presentations for S4–S6 school pupils interested in studying law, as well as her experience at an immigration law firm, where she coordinated interpreters to ensure fair and inclusive representation for clients. - 2nd place – Ore Oshin
Ore is a 1st year Pre-Clinical Medicine student who stood out for taking on a leadership role as a Medical School Council Representative and for her innovative thinking in the University’s Enterprise Challenge, where she helped design a system for parents to book their children’s medical appointments. - 3rd place – Ruby Mugisha
Ruby is in her final year of a History and International Relations degree. She impressed the judges with her dedication to student communities through her roles as International Officer for the African Caribbean Society, a History Student Ambassador, and Welfare Officer for the History Society – where she demonstrated strong mediation and conflict resolution skills.
The event was sponsored by Enterprise Mobility. Sara Kyle, who manages the Dundee Plus Award, and Fraser Hirst, Strategic Account Manager with Enterprise Mobility, shortlisted and selected the Dundee Plus Award winners.
Tamara said, "Completing the Plus Award was a deeply rewarding experience that not only allowed me to reflect on my personal and professional growth but also challenged me to demonstrate how I had developed key employability skills in real world settings. Winning first place was an incredible honour as it validated the time, thought, and effort I put into showcasing my development, and it reinforced my belief in the value of continuous learning through practical experience.
"Throughout the award process, I focused on providing authentic, reflective examples that highlighted my growth in areas like teamwork, communication, ethics, and adaptability. From supporting my colleagues during the ‘Explore Law’ event with Reach, to resolving a challenging customer complaint in my retail job, to navigating language barriers at an immigration law firm, each experience demanded more than just competence. They required empathy, initiative, and the ability to reflect and improve.
"I aimed to tell a story of how I handled challenges, supported others, and grew as a result. This meant taking time to analyse each experience, identify what I learned, and clearly communicate that growth in my application. I also took care to align each example with a specific skill, showing not only what I did, but how and why it mattered in a broader employability context.
"Winning first place in the Plus Award wasn’t just about recognition, it was about knowing that I had articulated my journey effectively and that my efforts to support others, act ethically, and solve problems had made a meaningful impact. It has given me greater confidence as I move forward in my career, knowing that I can reflect on my experiences, draw out key skills, and present them with clarity and purpose."
Alongside the student award winners, the Student Volunteer Organisation of the Year was awarded to the Scottish SPCA, recognising their ongoing impact and the valuable opportunities they provide for student volunteers. The award was collected by Volunteering Programme Manager Lesley Toles and follows a nomination from MSc Business student Rakul Syam, who volunteers as a student ambassador for the charity.
Rakul said, “As a Student Ambassador for the Scottish SPCA, I’ve had the chance to promote animal welfare, support events, and advocate for kindness and compassion. The organisation creates meaningful, hands-on opportunities that empower student volunteers to grow personally and professionally while making a real difference.
“Their inclusive and flexible approach helps students balance their academic life with giving back to a great cause.”
The award is a fantastic opportunity for students to give back by nominating the organisations they volunteer with, showcasing the partnerships between the University and the wider community, and encouraging more students to get involved in volunteering as a meaningful and career-enhancing activity.
For more information on the Dundee Plus Award and how to get involved, visit the website.
Press Office, University of Dundee
[email protected]