CarbonStore Prize Honours Excellence in Environmental Sustainability

A graduate from Edinburgh Napier University has won the CarbonStore Top Performing Student Award for the Renewable Energy Finance and Environmental Law module within the Environmental Sustainability MSc.

Farida Pervin was recognised by the School of Engineering and the Built Environment as the top performing student and winner of the CarbonStore prize. The award, a specially carved wooden trophy along with £250 prize money, was presented by David McCulloch, Head of CarbonStore, to Farida at the SkyBar in Edinburgh as part of Edinburgh Napier University’s graduation and prize giving ceremony.

On accepting the award, Farida Pervin said,

“I am very thankful to CarbonStore for organising such a reward for students which not only encourages them but also increases their eagerness to learn and contribute to the environment. I am overwhelmed to receive such a reward. It helped me build my confidence in my research.

“As a student of Environmental Sustainability at Edinburgh Napier University, students can learn about environmental problems and how to solve them. The lecturer teaches in a unique way where the student engages themselves in an alternative manner, which helps them to learn not only theoretically but also practically.

“It helped me to learn how to contribute to environmental sustainability. Such as my assignment on waste management, where I managed to save 13.14 KgCO₂ eq. carbon emissions by avoiding plastic waste in four weeks.”

For the renewable energy module, Farida was the top-performing student for her essay on ‘carbon accounting and evaluation of the impact of negative externalities’ with a particular focus on the rise of renewable energy sectors such as wind turbines, solar energy and biomass. Farida effectively explained how the lack of staff, competition, noise pollution and house prices limit the deployment of renewable energy technology.

As a graduate Farida plans to study for a PhD and continue research in environmental sustainability issues, particularly waste management and renewable energy sources.

Antoine Reguis, Renewable Energy Finance Lecturer for the School of Engineering and The Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University said:

“Farida is a well-deserved winner of this award. Her essay on the rise of renewable technologies shows her ability to produce a well-structured and well-written paper. Farida also has a very good understanding of finance mechanisms.

“She is a fantastic ambassador for Edinburgh Napier University and will be an excellent PhD student. She has all the skills and stamina to succeed and really make a difference in her field.”

As part of CarbonStore’s work to strengthen links with students, it is rewarding top performing students at leading universities which offer Masters in sustainability and environmental related subjects.

On presenting the award to Farida, David McCulloch, Head of CarbonStore said:

“It was fantastic to present the CarbonStore prize to a diligent student who plans to spend the prize money on laboratory tools to help her research. Farida showed dedication and hard work to achieve her Masters in challenging times, finishing with the highest mark on the renewable energy finance module.

“I’m sure she will take these skills with her into her PhD and onto an excellent career in sustainability. We want to continue to encourage more people like Farida into carbon related industries through our CarbonStore award programme.”