A University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) graduate from Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan has won the 2005 Albert Ullmer Award given by the Institute of Maintenance and Building Management (IMBM) for the best student on an accredited course of study.

Hardworking Kate Wiggins, a mature student, graduated from UWIC's BSc (Hons) Building Maintenance and Management course in July 2005, after combining five years of part-time study with a demanding full-time role as a maintenance officer for Cardiff Community Housing Association.

Simon Cousins, course director for Construction Studies at UWIC's School of Product and Engineering Design, said: "To complete the building maintenance and management course at UWIC, Kate had to pass 18 separate modules of study, which she achieved while working full-time in a demanding role.

"It was an outstanding level of achievement, which resulted in the award of a first class honours degree and now the IMBM best student award."

In her spare time Kate is a dedicated Arsenal fan and after all her hard work, she is now looking forward to spending more time watching the team which she has supported since childhood.

Kate said: "At the end of five years' study, I was looking forward to having no work to do in the evenings, but after a couple of weeks I felt something was missing.

"Fortunately, the football season started again, meaning I could watch Arsenal!

"My fascination with buildings has not diminished though, I still can't drive past a new building site or repair work to a stone building without stopping to take a better look."

For information about courses at UWIC visit www.uwic.ac.uk/courses/ or call 029 2041 6044.