TEESSIDE university's student of the year has dedicated his prestigious accolade to his father who died just after his final exam.

Said Nasser Al-Burtamani had never been outside Oman in the Middle East when he travelled to Middlesbrough three years ago with his family to study chemical engineering.

After gaining a first class degree and scooping the Teesside Science Award he has been presented with the Cecil M Yuill Foundation Award: achievement in any field prize.

Mr Al-Burtamani, 39, dedicated his academic accolades to his father, Nasser, who died in Oman during the last month of his degree.

He said: "My father passed away just after my final exam as I was about to submit my design project. In our religion burial takes place within two to four hours after death so there was no time for me to go back.

"My mother told me to stay, she said "don't waste your three years". I was given an extra week to submit my design project and the spirit of my father encouraged me to finish it.

"I was really surprised to be awarded student of the year and I dedicate this award to my father."

"I was worried about so many things before I came here, as it was my first time outside Oman, such as the language barrier. When I arrived on the first day I saw a wonderful place, a really friendly environment and from then I started to enjoy it."

Mr Al-Burtamani was sponsored to complete the degree by his employers Petroleum Development Oman where he has worked for 15 years.