ScotlandIS, the trade body and cluster management organisation for Scotland’s tech sector, has revealed the shortlist for the Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards, taking place on 25th September.
Now in their 36th year, the awards aims to recognise the best and brightest minds graduating from our universities across Scotland in 2025, held as part of ScotlandIS’ leading annual technology 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 a comparison of hand tracking to motion controllers when manipulating small objects in virtual reality, transforming cheat detection in online chess, video analytics for rugby skills training, and a Scottish mountain tracking application with real-time data and gamification features to enhance safety and planning efficiency for climbers.
The 2025 shortlist comprises:
- Klara Krämer, University of Aberdeen
- Denis Dimitrov, Abertay University
- Naomi Silver, University of Dundee
- Guy Torbet, University of Edinburgh
- Zin Lin Htun, Edinburgh Napier University
- Christopher Eccles, University of Glasgow
- Joanna Hoppe, Glasgow Caledonian University
- Joe Gilligan, Heriot Watt University
- Reece Mackie, Robert Gordon University
- Verity Powell, University of St Andrews
- Suniyah Ansari, University of Stirling
- Callum Sergeant, University of Strathclyde
- James Deas, University of the West of Scotland
Graeme Smith, former winner and now SVP of Engineering at Zalando, 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.
However, following last year’s success of introducing musical entertainment, we will have rising Scottish star, Callum Beattie, playing for us ahead of his first major headline gig in November! All possible thanks to 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.