A DUNFERMLINE mum-of-three has kept a promise to her late adoptive father by graduating from university on Friday.

Diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2014, Carol Hunter’s dad urged her to find a passion before he passed away.

She has since gained a HND from Fife College and has now completed a first class Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree in Social Science with The Open University (OU).

The 36-year-old, from Dunfermline, works full-time as president of the Fife College Student Association and will begin studying for a Master’s Degree in Crime and Justice with the OU soon.

She said: "My learner journey has been disjointed, to say the least. Academically, I struggled when I was younger, I didn’t take things in as quickly as others and carried the barriers that people associate with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

“However, I left school with the grades needed to get into university. I felt overwhelmed and isolated from the start – I wanted to go home.

"I finished first year and decided I didn’t want to go back.

"I dropped out, leaving with no additional qualifications and plenty of additional debt.

“Before my dad passed, he made me promise him that I would get out from my 9-5 desk job and do something that I was passionate about. He knew I could achieve more.

“I wanted to make my dad proud, and to show my children it’s never too late in life to completely change your course of direction. The OU meant that I could finally achieve my goal.”

Susan Stewart, director of The Open University in Scotland, said: "There’s no such thing as a typical OU student but what they all have in common is that they have hugely busy lives. They fit their study in along with family, work and all sorts of other responsibilities, which makes today’s ceremonies particularly special.

“Carol is an incredible example of that dedication and it’s an absolute pleasure to be able to celebrate with her and fellow graduates today."