ScotlandIS, the trade body and cluster management organisation for Scotland’s tech sector, has announced the shortlist for the Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards, taking place on 26th September.
Now in their 35th year, the awards aims to recognise the best and brightest minds graduating from our universities across Scotland in 2024, held as part of ScotlandIS’ leading annual tech conference, ScotSoft.
Each year, universities nominate the student with best final-year project, with an expert panel of judges adjudicating which student receives first, second and third prizes with an additional Leidos Best Engineering Prize.
Some of this year’s fascinating shortlisted projects include development of an interactive coffee data visualisation resource for coffee enthusiasts, creation of a Web3 application that allows users to log and view river pollution, debris and flooding at locations along local rivers, and an investigation into how practical use of a complex algorithm can improve the state of procedurally-generated infinite game worlds and other virtual environments.
The 2024 shortlist comprises:
- Ben Laurie, University of Aberdeen
- Jack Cavar, Abertay University
- David Topping, University of Dundee
- Litu Ou, University of Edinburgh
- Julia Swietochowska, Edinburgh Napier University
- Giacomo Fadda, Glasgow Caledonian University
- John McIver, Heriot Watt University
- Shaun Lennon, Robert Gordon University
- Benjamin Sonnet, University of St Andrews
- Daniela Berzina, University of Stirling
- Ben MacDonald, University of Strathclyde
- Kathleen Edie, University of the West of Scotland
Graeme Smith, former winner and now Senior Director of Engineering at Youtube, said: “I’ve seen the Young Software Engineer of the Year awards from both sides. The YSE award really helped me get attention from employers in the early stages of my career.”
Graeme previously worked for Amazon for 16 years, in roles including Managing Director of Amazon Development Centre (Scotland) and CEO of Amazon-acquired Sizmek. In the past, ScotlandIS member Amazon Web Services has sponsored the Young Software Engineer Awards.
“As an employer, I’m proud to support the awards because it’s important to recognise upcoming talent and it’s been a great way for us to get introductions to these graduates, several of whom we have hired in the past.”
The YSE Awards dinner always concludes with a notable after-dinner speaker, with years gone by featuring faces from comedian Kevin Bridges, to Olympian Chris Hoy, to former SAS: Who Dares Wins star Colin Maclachlan.
This year, we will be shaking things up with a set from The Red Hot Chilli Pipers! In a ScotSoft first we’ll have live music to get the party started following the awards, with an introduction from our After Dinner Entertainment sponsor, Lloyds.
The Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards couldn’t happen without the other incredible sponsors that support the awards: KAL, who kindly sponsor the YSE brochure highlighting all the former winners; Sopra Steria, BCS and Resillion who sponsor the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively; and Leidos who sponsor the Best Engineering prize.
ScotSoft is Scotland’s leading annual technology conference, with insightful technical and leadership-style speakers from around the globe.
If you’re inspired to learn more about the Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards, or book a table or a ticket, head on over to our website or give us a call on 01506 472200.