Gemma Bateman, 21, from Shinness was recently awarded the title of The North Highland College student of the year. Her personal achievement and contribution to the student community shone through and saw her scoop £500 in the under 25s category of a competition run by Inverness College for a business concept for a plant information service which demonstrated real commercial potential. Gemma, who recently obtained an Environment & Heritage degree studied mainly by video conference from the Dornoch campus. Communication with lecturers and fellow students via television screen may appear to be an obstacle, but Gemma said, "you can see beyond the television screens and are able to build up a rapport with other students." Gemma needed additional support with grammar and language and strongly believes that she would not have been successful in her degree without it. Help is at hand to assist with study skills and specialist learning requirements, and many students have found this assistance invaluable.