Pawel Orzechowski, final year PhD Computer Science student, has been selected as a scholar for the Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities award, a Google scholarship worth €7,000. The prestigious award went to only 10 students in Europe.
Google Scholars Retreat
As well as the funding, Pawel will attend the Google Scholars Retreat in Zurich in June, where he'll have the opportunity to network with other Google Europe Scholars and Googlers.
This is the second year in a row a Computer Science student from Heriot-Watt has won the award. Lewis McLean, undergraduate student won the award in 2011.
When my lecturers believed in me I started to believe in myself and see opportunities instead of difficulties. I feel blessed and overwhelmed that my work so far has been fostered by Heriot-Watt and appreciated by Google
Pawel Orzechowski, final year PhD Computer ScienceInteractive control of iPads
Professor Mike Chantler, Head of the Texture Lab said: "Pawel is a real star, a key member of our lab and an extraordinarily generous individual. His research into interactive control of iPads is both extremely exciting and very leading edge. It reflects on the very vibrant and invigorating environment that I think we have here in Computer Science. Not only is Pawel a very talented researcher and programmer, but he is also is a great communicator, is constantly generating new ideas and is involved in many public events and initiatives across and outside the University. He undoubtedly has a very bright future ahead of him."
Pawel studied his undergraduate programme in Computer Science at Heriot-Watt Pawel and is delighetd with the award. He said: "This award made me realise how lucky I was to join Heriot-Watt years ago - it was a perfect environment to grow. What it took for me and many of my undergraduate friends was a mix of vibrant academic environment provided by the University and belief in our own strength. When my lecturers believed in me I started to believe in myself and see opportunities instead of difficulties. I feel blessed and overwhelmed that my work so far has been fostered by Heriot-Watt and appreciated by Google. I really cannot wait for the Google Summer School in Zurich. It's where the most inspiring people gather to work together and I am privileged to be a part of it this year."
Pawel is funded by an EPSRC project studentship.