“I hope to inspire other students at Queen’s and show them that there are opportunities everywhere. It’s about taking these opportunities and stepping out of your comfort zone to reach your potential!”

Congratulations to Caitlin Chee, who has been announced as our Student of The Year 2024/25.

Caitlin received the gradireland ‘Female Leadership Undergraduate of the Year’ award in 2023 and was chosen as one of just 25 out of our student population of 25,000 to travel to North America for the first time as part of the University’s Future-Ready Skills for Leaders programme.

"I am honoured to be receiving this award. I would not be where I am today without the support of those around me, from family and friends to the vast opportunities Queen’s has offered me throughout my undergraduate life.

"I have recently started my PhD with the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, focusing on developing a biobased and recyclable polymer for medical packaging.

"Engineering develops solutions for life’s challenges, and my passion is to make a difference through engineering. From my teenage years, I was inspired by my grandparents to use my skills to help those around me and it started with my first design project where I worked on an aid to help the elderly living alone.

"For new students who have started their engineering degrees this past September, I would say take every opportunity outside of your degree. There is so much going on in the university to get involved in. My favourite memory from studying at Queen’s would be the QUB Future Leaders trip to Boston. Being my first time in the US, it was so much fun exploring the city with the 2023 cohort.

"I am so grateful for the funding and support from Queen’s and its staff, which has given me a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel and pursue my passions in engineering."

Queen's University Belfast