Building an orphanage is next challenge for Award winning graduate Holly

Holly Parry, from Holyhead, has graduated with a BSc degree in Coastal Geography- and received the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology Wales Branch “Young Marine Professional Achievement Award of 2009/10” and a cheque for £100 when she graduated from Bangor University.

As she is profoundly deaf, Holly was provided with an interpreter who signed what the lecturers were saying during lectures and practicals. The University’s Student Support Services also provided Holly with a note taker as she was unable to take notes whilst watching the interpreter.

The Wales Branch of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) previously the Institute of Marine Engineers (IMarE) formed in 1889, each year acknowledges the achievements of young marine professionals.

Current Chairman and Past President of the Institute Simon Rickaby explained: “The Wales Branch, the oldest in the Institute, makes four awards annually to recognise young marine professionals’ achievements: Marine Engineer, Marine Scientist, Marine Technologist and the highest award being our Young Marine Professional Achievement Award to that Student who has overcome significant difficulties in achieving their success. Holly without a shadow of doubt was the clear winner of our Highest Award, being from Wales makes us doubly proud of her achievement as a shining example to others of what can be achieved with an understanding and forward thinking university and the right determination to succeed. Well done Holly and to Bangor University for their support and academic excellence in bringing forth another outstanding young marine professional.”

Professor James Scourse, Holly’s tutor at the School of Ocean Sciences said, “From the start, Holly showed that she was more than capable, meeting every challenge provided by the programme in a confident and professional manner. In fact, the other students in her tutor group commented that they found Holly’s presence a positive asset because staff had to explain things with absolute clarity and leave more gaps between sentences. So Holly’s presence enriched the lives of others around her, staff and students alike.”
The highlights of the course for Holly included a day on board the School of Ocean Sciences’ research vessel, The Prince Madog and a two- week field course in South Wales: “We worked outdoors everyday carrying out practical field work and collected samples from areas surrounding the Taf estuary,” says Holly.

“Coastal Geography is a very broad subject; there are many different interesting parts of the degree which cover the physical, chemical and biological components of the coastline and shallow marine environments. Over the past three years we have researched coastal geology, sediment dynamics, Acoustics, Tides, coastal management, conservation and many other topics,” she explains. As well as studying and working part time at a local sports centre to support herself while at university, Holly has also been fundraising over the last year for Third World Hope, a charity set up by her cousin.

“On the 19th July I am flying out to Malawi to help Third World Hope build a brand new orphanage which will give over 70 children a place to call home. When I return, I hope to find a career associated with my degree or environmental conservation.”

“I’m delighted to have been awarded this Award. It feels really good to be graduating. It’s great to see that all the hard work over the past three years has finally paid off. I’d like to say a huge thank you to North Wales Deaf Association and everyone who has helped me gain my degree,” she said.

Holly chose to study at Bangor University for several reasons. She explains: “I do a lot of extreme sports such as surfing and mountaineering, and Bangor is the perfect location for all these sports. Also the School of Ocean Sciences is known as an academic centre of excellence for my course which was also a main attraction.”