Financial support in the form of bursaries has been a tremendous catalyst to Greenmount students just commencing higher education.  The money has assisted students in the payment of tuition fees, accommodation costs and travel costs for example.

The competition

Bursaries are offered on a competitive basis to first year students on the Honours Degree in Agricultural Technology, the Higher National Diploma in Agriculture and the Foundation Degrees in Horticulture and Rural and Countryside Management.

The main criterion for the award of a bursary is the assessment of a report (approximately 1,500 words in length). Each company provides a title of their choice for a report and students select a title from an approved list.  The candidates’ choice of title will link them with a particular organisation and each organisation will then select from these students the ultimate recipient or recipients of the bursary.

Candidates can compete for more than one bursary but can only be awarded one.  The reports are initially assessed by Greenmount staff to ensure that they are of the required standard for the award of a bursary.  However, the final decision on the award of the bursary is made by the sponsor.  To assist this, the bursary provider may wish to interview candidates.  In the event of two or more candidates’ reports being judged to be of similar standard, applicants will be differentiated on the basis of a short interview with a bursary panel.  This panel will include representatives from Greenmount Campus and the company providing the bursary.

Successful candidates receive an instalment of £500 at a reception during Semester 1 in early November and the remaining £500 after the successful completion of Semester 1 exams in January 2010.

Submission date

All reports must be submitted by Friday 2 October 2009.  Further details of bursaries will be forwarded in August when students confirm a place on one of the higher education programmes.

Further information

Contact Dr Alice Robson at  028 9442 6612 or email alice.robson@dardni.gov.uk

Instructions for Completion of Report

Choose a title from the approved list.

Maximum length of report – 1,500 words.

The report must be word-processed.

If appropriate, you may include photographs/illustrations with suitable captions.

Assessment of report

	%
Content Technical, economic and practical considerations	60%
Structure and presentation	20%
Grammar	10%
Bibliography Evidence of literature consulted	10%

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

In addition to the report each student should send a short CV of not more than one A4 page in length.  It should be word - processed, detailing hobbies and any relevant work experience or interests that the student may have.

Useful Contacts

Bursary sponsors Bertie Pollock (Tyrone Farming Society), John Thompson (Deputy President, Ulster Farmers Union), John Proctor (Dunbia), Keith Willis (Thomas Henry Memorial Trust), John Henning (Northern Bank) pictured with John Fay CAFRE Director and prospective students Michael McKenna (Bellaghy), Darren Graham (Enniskillen), Niall Menzies (Oban, Scotland) and Liam Hurrell (Randalstown)

John Fay and Dr. Michael Mullan (CAFRE) with bursary sponsors Dr Sam Campbell (Ai Services), George Reid (Ulster Grassland Society), Claire Woods (representing The David Colegrave Foundation), Jonathan McCaughan (John Thompson & Sons Ltd) and prospective students Hannah McCollum (Ballykelly), Jonathan Mayers (Fivemiletown) and David Johnston (Portaferry)