http:// www. nrc. ac. uk NRC Student wins University ' Dragon's Den' The University of Ulster in partnership with Connected hosted a successful competition open to all Further Education Students in Northern Ireland. The organisers asked students to come up with innovative scientific idea that has the potential for making money. The five best entries were invited to the Science Innovation Centre at the University of Ulster Coleraine to pitch to 3 successful Dragons. Three NRC students were chosen among the final five and all produced innovative and highly original presentations. Warren Rea a 2nd year National Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering was the out right winner on the day and picked up £ 400.00 in prize money. Warrens pitch was developed on a mechatronics based engineering project focused on a particular hobby of his. His research & development of the project spanned over four years. The potential of the business opportunity was quickly realised by the ' Dragons', as Warren demonstrated in detail, his research with respect to the marketplace, technology involved, expected valuations and material costings. Bottom left: Winner of the competition Warren Rea collects his prize from Alison Rankin Deputy Director of Finance, University of Ulster, Coleraine. Bottom right: NRC tutors Bill Watson and John McClintock pictured with Alan McAfee Engineering Business Support and Development Officer and NRC students, Warren Rea, Algirdas Navalinskas and Ruediger Lohe. Best Engineering Students 2009 Best Student Performance in National Diploma Manufacturing Engineering Warren Rea Warren Rea is a past pupil of Larne Grammar School who successfully completed the National Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering in June 2009 at the Ballymena Campus. Warren achieved a distinction in all 18 units studied during his two years at the college. Warren is currently studying for a Masters in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ulster in Jordanstown. Warren was the winner of the Concorde Cup, an award given to the most outstanding National Diploma Engineering student whilst attending the Farm Lodge Campus, NRC. He also won the best manufacturing project award, sponsored by Schrader Electronics Ltd. He was also the winner of the Connected Thinking Dragons Den competition at the University of Ulster Science and Innovation Centre in Coleraine in June 2009. National Diploma in Engineering Craig Meaklim Craig joined the ND Engineering in Sept 2007, from Glengormley High School. He produced an excellent standard of work throughout the course and demonstrated an exceptional ability to work independently and met assessment deadlines. Hence a well deserved overall grade of DDD ( achieving D grades in 13 out of the 17 individual units). He is now at University of Ulster at Jordanstown studying for a B Eng with Hons in Mechanical Engineering.

Science Best Science Students 2009 Student Profile: Callum Ewing While at NRC, Callum has achieved level 2 National Certificate in Animal Care, NVQ 2 Animal Care, National Certificate in Veterinary Care Assistants and essential skills in IT, communication and application of number. He has now progressed on to the Advanced National Certificate in Animal Management. Callum helps to motivate students and staff alike with his good spirits and despite his easy going nature always manages to be first finished! Student Profile: Linda Reid Linda is a past pupil of Monkstown Community School. The Veterinary Care Assistant course enrolled twelve candidates in September 2008, one of which was Linda Reid. Linda was in her placement at Bramar Veterinary Clinic on the Lisburn Road, Belfast for two days per week and the remainder three days of the week she attended classes in the college. Linda really enjoyed the Veterinary Care Assistant Course, her attendance was excellent and the standard of work she produced proved her dedication to the profession. She successfully completed the qualification in June 2009 and the veterinary practice then employed her full- time. Linda now looks forward to attending Greenmount College to commence her training as a Veterinary Nurse. Best Student Performance in National Diploma Applied Science Student Profile: Jennie Doherty Jennie is a past pupil of the North Coast Integrated College. She initially completed an NVQ in Child Care and embarked on a BTEC National in Child Care before switching to study the National Diploma in Applied Science. From the outset Jennie had a mature approach to her work and was capable of independent thought and self- discipline. She was popular with her peers yet was an organiser capable of motivating others in her group to work together to solve problems and produce good group work. Jennie obtained distinctions in the majority of her units, achieving three Distinctions overall in the National Diploma. Jennie is now studying for a BSc in Criminology at Queen's University Belfast and is a deserving recipient of this award. http:// www. nrc. ac. uk FACULTY 2 11