Students praised for outstanding achievements
IQ and IAT celebrate high-performing university students at awards ceremony in London
STUDENTS from the University of Derby Centre for Mineral Products have been praised for their outstanding achievements at an awards ceremony in London, including a third-time prize winner who has achieved an industry first with an exceptionally high average score.
The 2023 IQ and IAT Student Awards were held at the historic IET London: Savoy Place. The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) and Institute of Asphalt Technology (IAT) presented the awards during their joint Fellows’ Lunch event, with winners accepting their prizes in front of industry leaders and mineral extractives professionals.
Among the winners was Peter Triccas TMIQ, deputy quarries manager for Cauldon
Cement Works. Mr Triccas, who received an IQ Student Award for the third consecutive year, graduated from the University of Derby minerals course with an exceptionally high average score of 96% over the course duration.At this year’s event, he was presented with the Reginald W Coles Award for Best Overall Mineral Extractives Foundation Degree Student 2023. In 2021 and 2022 he was awarded the Longcliffe Calcium Carbonates Award of Excellence for Year 1 and Year 2 studies.
Commenting on his achievement, Mr Triccas said: ‘I started in the quarrying industry in 2016 at Uttoxeter Quarry and have progressed to the position of deputy quarries manager for Cauldon Cement Works, helped by completing my studies at the University of Derby Centre for Mineral Products. It has been a learning curve year-on-year and the knowledge I have gained from completing the mineral extraction course over the last three years will definitely help with any challenges I face in the future.’
The 2023 IQ award winners were Lewis Pinch TMIQ, Peter Triccas TMIQ, Ben Marsh, Oliver Kibble TMIQ, Joseph Dodds TMIQ and Alice Radbourne. They received their prizes from Viv Russell FIQ, President of the Institute of Quarrying, and James Thorne, IQ chief executive officer.
Mr Russell said: ‘It has been a pleasure to host the Student Awards alongside the Institute of Asphalt Technology, reinforcing our cross-sector relationship and supporting the development of future leaders in our industries. The students have gone above and beyond this year, and Peter’s incredible achievement of three awards in consecutive years alongside consistently high average scores is testament to the dedication and hard work that it takes to succeed.’
The IAT presented prizes to Christopher Potter, Michael Kenyon, Dermot Leonard, Alexander Hewstone and Tom Feather.
IAT President Gearoid Lohan said: ‘On behalf of everyone at the Institute of Asphalt Technology, I’d like to congratulate all the winners. We’re extremely proud of our partnership with the Institute of Quarrying and are delighted that we can continue to support the development of talent in both our industries.’
2023 IQ winner profiles
Lewis Pinch TMIQ, Tarmac, received the Goodwin Barsby Award, presented to the highest-achieving Honours student over two years and five modules. His course tutors say he has developed into a well-rounded individual during his time at the University of Derby, showing commitment and engagement throughout the programme.
The winner of the Reginald W Coles Award for Best Overall Mineral Extractives Foundation Degree Student, endowed in memory of past President of The Institute, Mr R.W. Coles, was Peter Triccas TMIQ. His tutors describe him as one of the foremost success stories, winning awards and achieving consistently high scores for three years in succession clearly showing his determination and dedication to both his career and lifelong learning.
Awarded to the Highest Achieving Mineral Extractives Higher Apprentice, the Ransomes Rapier Award was presented to Ben Marsh. His tutors described him as an excellent student who consistently submitted work of a high standard.
The Peter Preston Award (UK), bestowed by the late Peter Preston, for Best UK Diploma Student 2023 was awarded to Oliver Kibble TMIQ, who went above and beyond the expectations of the course by taking on an additional module, excelling, and achieving an overall grade in excess of 90%.
Alice Radbourne was presented with the Longcliffe Calcium Carbonates Award of Excellence Year One. The prize is given to the Best Overall Foundation Degree Student Over Three Modules. Her tutors say she is a very active student who shows enthusiasm in all she does and performed exceptionally well in the Engineering and Mathematics, and Industry Introduction modules.
The Longcliffe Calcium Carbonates Award of Excellence Year Two was awarded to the Best Overall Foundation Degree Student Over Four Modules. This year’s winner was Joseph Dodds TMIQ, who said the Mineral Extractive Foundation Degree has helped to provide an excellent understanding of the industry as a whole and to build a network of support to develop his chosen career path.
2023 IAT winner profiles
Eamon Woods (absent) received the IAT award for First Year Foundation Degree.
Christopher Potter received the IAT award for Second Year Foundation Degree.
Michael Kenyon received the Shell award for Third Year Foundation Degree – 1st place.
Dermot Leonard received the Shell award for Third Year Foundation Degree – 2nd place.
Matt Oliver (absent) received the Shell award for Third Year Foundation Degree – 3rd place.
Dermot Leonard received his second award, the Worshipful Company of Paviors Award for Contracts & Business Management and Ops.
Michael Kenyon received his second award, the Worshipful Company of Paviors Award for Pavement Technology.
The IAT Award for Best Asphalt Diploma Student was presented to Alexander Hewstone.
The FM Conway Award for Best Higher Apprentice was presented to Tom Feather.
