20 August 2009

Leading organisations from the agri-food and horticulture sectors are supporting the training of young managers and technologists for the future.

£1000 Bursaries on offer

This year the College is pleased to announce the availability of NINE bursaries at Greenmount, which have been generously provided by Ai Services Ltd, the Northern Bank, the Ulster Farmers’ Union, Tyrone Farming Society, Dunbia, the Thomas Henry Memorial Trust, the David Colegrave Foundation, Ulster Grassland Society, and John Thompson and Sons Ltd. These bursaries are on offer to full-time students commencing the following courses in September 2009: BSc Agricultural Technology, HND Agriculture, Foundation Degree in Horticulture and Foundation Degree in Rural and Countryside Management. The bursaries provide financial support to assist students in their academic studies. Previous recipients have used the money to pay tuition or accommodation fees, to purchase laptops and to help enjoy college life to the full. Students apply on a competitive basis by submitting a report on a topic provided by the awarding organisation or attend an interview.

Launch Day

At a recent event at Greenmount for prospective students and the sponsors offering bursaries, Mr John Fay, Director of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, thanked sponsors for their willingness to support young people entering higher education at Greenmount. He stated, “The cost of higher education continues to rise, grants are no longer available and more recently, tuition fees have been introduced. These additional costs have the potential to create even more financial challenges for young people and their families from the land-based sector. These bursaries are intended to mitigate some of the costs involved in higher education and also act as an incentive to young people entering the industry. While the money is important many bursary providers also provide paid work experience and jobs on graduation which are additional benefits for the bursary recipients”. Mr Fay concluded by encouraging all prospective students to apply for the numerous bursaries on offer.

Representatives from the companies providing the bursaries also addressed the large gathering of students, parents and friends. Mr John Thompson, Deputy President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, stressed the importance of companies and organisations actively supporting young people who are embarking upon a career in the industry. He commented, “Agriculture, like any other industry is reliant on the fresh and innovative ideas which young people and new entrants to the industry will bring and we are delighted to be able to help them.”

Further Information

If you are interested in a land-based qualification which has industry support, focuses on up-to-date technology and business management, provides opportunities for “learning by doing” and which will ultimately lead to a responsible managerial position in industry, then ring Greenmount Campus (028 94 426703) for details. Further information on the bursaries can be obtained from Dr Alice Robson (028 94 426612).

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)