01 July 2008

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA presented the awards and congratulated graduates at the recent annual awards ceremony at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus.

In its centenary year, approximately 120 students graduated from a range of courses in food technology, food nutrition and health, food supply management, packaging and communication.

Speaking at the ceremony the minister said: “It gives me great pleasure to attend Loughry’s graduation in its centennial year, to celebrate students’ achievements. It is a great occasion and I congratulate all our students and recognise their hard work in successfully completing their studies.”

The minister also highlighted the growing skills shortage in the food manufacturing industry and praised CAFRE graduates’ job-seeking efforts, with many already securing employment ahead of graduation. She said: “The shortage of professional staff to fill critical roles in quality assurance, product development and technical roles is a key issue for the industry to address. The young people graduating here today demonstrate DARD’s commitment to providing education, lifelong learning, technology and business programmes, which will assist the agri-food industry in responding to current and future challenges.”

Top of their Class at Loughry

Michelle Gildernew, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, MP MLA, took time to celebrate with students at Loughry Campus’ Awards Day ceremony. Top students Wendy Lindsay, on the BSc (Hons) Food Technology Degree and Sarah McCullough on the BSc (Hons) Supply Management Food are congratulated on their academic achievements by Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, John Fay, Director of CAFRE, Ian Titterington, Head of Loughry Campus and Malcolm McKibbin, Permanent Secretary, DARD.

DARD Prize Winners at Loughry Campus

Michelle Gildernew, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, MP MLA, John Fay, Director of CAFRE, Ian Titterington, Head of Loughry Campus and Malcolm McKibbin, Permanent Secretary, DARD congratulate winners of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) prizes at Loughry Campus’ Centenary Year Awards Day Ceremony.  Featured are: Lauren Shivers (Kilrea), Sarah McCullough (Cookstown) Wendy Lindsay (Killinchy), Joanna Keenan (Newry) and Douglas McKenzie (Dungannon).

Loughry graduate job success with Dunbia

Michelle Gildernew, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, MP MLA congratulates Fionnula Haughey (Beragh) on securing a position in Dunbia’s Graduate Management Programme. Also featured in the picture are John Fay, Director of CAFRE, David Farrell, Group Services Director, Dunbia and Ian Titterington, Head of Loughry Campus. Fionnula graduated from Loughry Campus with a BSc (Hons) Degree in Food Supply Management and will commence employment at the Dungannon site in late August.

Satisfying futures in the West

Michelle Gildernew, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, MP MLA, took time to celebrate with students at Loughry Campus Awards Day ceremony. The Minister and Ian Titterington, Head of Loughry Campus congratulate students Malcolm McCauley (Newtownbutler) and Yvonne Irvine (Castlederg) on graduating with BSc (Hons) Degrees in Food Technology.

Ciaran has it all wrapped up at Loughry!

Michelle Gildernew, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, MP MLA, congratulates Ciaran O’Kane (Kilrea) on his graduation at Loughry Campus. Ciaran was awarded the Quinn Glass Award for achieving highest marks in written examinations. He has already completed a National Diploma in Food Technology and a Degree in Food Supply Management student both at Loughry and this year gained a Diploma in Packaging Technology through part-time study.