Student Spotlight - Christopher Kaan Caudwell
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At UHI Perth, our computing courses help you to develop the professional skills and experience for a career in computing and technology. This week, we meet a student who will be shortly progressing to their second year of study within this field.
What is your name, and where are you from?
My name is Christopher Kaan Caudwell, but everyone calls me Chris.
What course are you studying at UHI Perth, and what year are you currently in?
I studied HNC Computing during the 2024–2025 term and will be progressing to HND Computer Science for 2025–2026. I recently completed my HNC with an A grade, and it was a fantastic experience!
How did you hear about UHI Perth?
I first heard about UHI Perth while researching colleges and universities in the UK to continue my studies.
What were you doing before you came to UHI Perth?
Before coming to UHI Perth, I was a student at a French high school: Saint-Joseph in Istanbul, Turkey, where I followed a Mathematics and Science pathway. I was born in Istanbul and grew up in a multicultural household with an English father and a Turkish mother. After high school, I spent a year studying in France. While it was a great experience where I met new people, improved my French, and explored a new culture, I found the education system there too isolating and overly theoretical, with little connection to real-world applications.
Why did you decide to pick this course?
I’ve always been enthusiastic about solving problems and creating new things, which naturally led me to coding and computing. I enjoy troubleshooting, investigating issues, and building programs. Sometimes, I solve coding problems on my own and then compare my approach to existing solutions to learn and improve. I wanted a course that was practical rather than overly theoretical, one where I could see the tangible results of my work. When I looked into the HNC Computing course and its curriculum, I was confident it was the right fit for me.
What is your favourite thing about the course?
My favourite thing about the course is the combination of amazing lecturers, like-minded and supportive peers, and a practical, hands-on curriculum!
Has there been any standout/memorable moments from your course?
One of the most memorable moments was when I walked into the computing department office and saw a baby doll hanging from the ceiling by its feet, with fake eyes! It was creepy, but also such a classic computing department moment. (Yes, we’re weird, and we love it!)
What knowledge, skills and experience have you gained from your course that will help you when you leave UHI Perth?
I’ve gained a lot of knowledge, skills, and experience from my course at UHI Perth. I’ve learned to approach problems from different angles and develop effective solutions. I now understand how computers work in detail, how to create and normalise databases, and how to use Linux commands efficiently. I’ve learned how to conduct proper research and document it, as well as how to write academically sound essays with appropriate citations. I can now build a website from scratch and code in PHP and C#, along with using HTML and CSS. I’ve also gained insight into professional bodies and ethical standards within the computing field. On top of that, I developed teamwork and project management skills.
Have your lecturers been supportive during your studies?
My lecturers have been incredibly supportive throughout my studies, both academically and personally. When I experienced a mental health crisis, I received tremendous support from Ian Turnbull (Computing Subject Leader at UHI Perth) and Kirstie Miller (HNC Computing PAT). They made sure I didn’t fall behind when I needed to travel to Turkey to take a break. Although not lecturers, Apryll Cunningham (Student Support Worker) and Alex Weir (Mental Health Co-ordinator) also provided invaluable help during this time. Academically, our lecturers are always available to support us. They patiently answer questions, take the time to explain difficult topics, and genuinely care about our progress. They’re patient, understanding, and truly good people.
Congratulations, you recently won the ‘Best Computing Solution Award’ at the UHI Business Competition held in Inverness. Can you tell us about your entry?
My entry was a project I’ve been passionate about for a long time, called Gestura, although the name may change based on feedback from the Deaf community. It’s a two-way sign language translation app powered by AI and machine learning, designed to work without additional hardware like gloves, just a mobile phone and its camera. To demonstrate its feasibility, I developed a small prototype for the judges. Since then, I’ve entered other competitions, partnered with another academic institution, and begun seeking further funding. Thanks to the connections I made through the UHI Business Competition, I’m now exploring different avenues to develop Gestura into a full-scale product. I’ve also formed a team and established a company. I’m committed to making a positive impact, and I truly believe this project can help me achieve that goal.
Any other achievements you have gained on your journey?
I also won the Student and Staff Enterprise Competition awarded by Converge with the same business idea. In addition, I was elected as the president of the Computing Club. Most recently, I was deeply honoured to learn that UHI Perth is nominating me for the Student of the Year Award, organised by the College Development Network (CDN). I felt emotional and truly happy when I heard about the nomination. But to me, the greatest achievement isn’t just the awards, it's the fact that I’ve made a lasting impression on the people around me at UHI Perth. Being nominated for something like this means I’ve made an impact, and that’s what matters most to me.
What do you like about the campus/facilities?
I genuinely appreciate everything about the campus and its facilities. I enjoy the high-quality, freshly cooked food served daily in the cafeteria, and there’s never a long queue, which is a bonus! The staff are always friendly and kind. The library offers a great range of books, and the printing credits we receive have been more than enough for me, even as someone who prints a lot. I also love the modern, well-equipped gym. The quiet room has been a perfect space for me to rest when I feel overwhelmed. The classrooms are well-equipped with computers, and I really value the welcoming atmosphere at the entrance, where the big community project lets anyone take what they need - food, drinks, toilet paper, and more - all replenished daily.
Have you enjoyed studying at UHI Perth? Any highlights?
I’ve truly enjoyed studying at UHI Perth, and one of the biggest highlights has been forming two lifelong friendships, with Deniz Kokcu and Dawid Ekiert. I first noticed Deniz’s name in the UHI Perth Computing Club Discord server before I became president, while the elections were still ongoing. Her username caught my eye: “Deniz” is a unisex Turkish name meaning “sea”, and it also happens to be my brother’s name. She was a year ahead of me, so I sent her a message, and we met up for a chat. I met Dawid during the second semester in class, where we were placed in the same group for the teamwork module. As someone quite shy, I didn’t talk much at first, but as we stayed late after class working on our project, we naturally started chatting. Eventually, we were the last ones left in the class, and what began as class companionship grew into a strong friendship. Now, Dawid, Deniz, and I are working on Gestura together. These two friendships mean a great deal to me, and I’m truly grateful to have them in my life.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of your studies?
I love playing the piano. It makes me feel as if I’m in a safe space where I can explore new ideas and connect with myself. Sometimes, with permission from the staff, I use the music rooms in the Goodlyburn building to play. The piano allows me to express myself without using words, and when I’m inspired or overwhelmed with emotion, I often end up composing my own pieces. I also write down my thoughts and feelings from time to time. I enjoy reading, but only when a book truly captures my attention and interest. Lastly, I often find myself diving into hundreds of pages of material on whatever topic I’m hyper-fixated on at the time. It calms me to learn everything I can about something that fascinates me.
What are your future career plans?
Anything that creates a positive impact and is related to computing is a path I’m open to. At the moment, I envision developing my BSL translation app (currently called Gestura) into a full-scale, accessible, and sustainable product. Beyond that, I have other ideas. Most of them are centred around digital accessibility. I’ve always enjoyed creating new things and solving problems, so that will remain a core part of whatever I do. In the future, I might also consider transitioning from software and computing into project management, depending on where life takes me.
And finally, what advice would you give to someone thinking about studying at UHI Perth?
If you’re thinking about it, go for it. There’s nothing to lose and so much to gain from the experience and education at UHI Perth. As a dear friend once said, quoting something he read: “Life isn’t a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived.” For me, UHI Perth has been, and continues to be, a good mystery, a meaningful adventure.
