Craig Paul, from Duror, has been recognised in the Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards after making a splash with judges with his unique training device for novice sailors.

The former Lochaber High School pupil, who has just graduated from St Andrews University with a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science, was presented with the Real Time Engineering Award for his NaviSim Dinghy Sailing Simulator.

The special award is given to the project which in the judges' opinion most clearly embraces sound software engineering principles.

Craig (21) received a cheque for £750 donated by Glasgow-based Real Time Engineering, leading specialist providers of expert business consultancy and IT solutions and part of the Amor Group.

St Andrews university receives the Real Time trophy, a cut-glass rose bowl.

Craig's project is a unique simulator for small single-handed sail boats, aimed as a computer-based training aid for beginner sailors.

The simulator provides a safe environment with customised variables, allowing the user to learn and practise in various scenarios and conditions.

It was a work of passion for Craig, who was introduced to sailing at a young age and who has competed at both Scottish and British level, captaining the university sailing team for his final two years at St Andrews.

Craig, who now lives in Edinburgh, told the Lochaber News: "I was delighted to win the award.

"I was working on the project for an entire academic year with the support of a professor at the university and I had to carry out a lot of research on how to integrate everything, but it was really pleasing how it all came together.

Craig Paul (right) with Alastair O'Brien, director of Real Time, who presented the award.

"Sailing is my passion and I'm really chuffed to have achieved this award. I'm still working on where to go next.

"I'm currently doing some freelance web development work and I'm also coaching junior sailors. Hopefully I'll be able to land a software engineering job and I've got some interviews lined up at the moment."

The Young Software Engineer of the Year awards are given for the best undergraduate software projects, drawn from across all students studying computer science and software engineering in Scotland.

Each university nominates the very best final year undergraduate software engineering project to be submitted for the awards.

The awards are organised by ScotlandIS, the trade body for software and information and computer technology, and were presented at the ScotSoft 2009 dinner which accompanied the 10BigThings Global Forum in October.

Organisers said this year's standard was very high with a wide range of projects.

When scoring the projects, the judges use criteria which include the level of innovation, technical difficulty, quality of engineering, level of knowledge and previous research.

Adjudicators also take into account planning and organisation, commercial and social relevance and the quality of presentation.

s.taylor@lochaber-news.co.uk

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