Coleg Morgannwg student Karen Jenkins was recently presented with The Open College Network Learner of the Year Award by TV presenters Nia Parry and Iolo Williams at the NIACE Dysgu Cymru Inspire 2008 Award ceremony held at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea.
The Inspire Awards Ceremony is an annual event held as part of Adult Learners' Week, 17 May – 24 May 2008, the UK's largest festival and celebration of adult learning, co-ordinated by NIACE Dysgu Cymru, and core-funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Social Fund.
Open College Network Learner of the Year Award Winner - Karen Jenkins
Karen was diagnosed with terminal cancer and made a decision to learn new skills in digital photography so she could leave her family a special collection of images. She enrolled on the European Computer Driving License (ECDL) qualification at the college to gain Photoshop skills. On completion of the ECDL course she joined a further course in digital photography and digital manipulation and began work on a photography project to leave to her family.
Karen said, “Using my newly developed skills I created a photography project to leave to my family and also designed a publicity poster for Cancer Research Wales. Coupled with the pride I feel for my achievements in class, the Cancer Research project has left me feeling very satisfied.
Aside from the learning, the classes I attended provided social interaction and helped keep me grounded. The whole experience has encouraged me to keep going and has given me a goal and a focus to meet up with the other students and feel part of a group”.
Karen’s tutor Mr. Lindsay Harris, who nominated Karen for the award, stated “Karen has committed herself to achieve the OCN units in digital manipulation in order to keep herself occupied and remain in touch with other people in the community. Her condition has not prevented her from being an active student in the group, we are so proud of Karen’s achievements”.
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