Three students from Omagh have each been awarded a £1,000 bursary at the Greenmount Campus of the College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). David Armstrong and Jonathan Campbell are currently studying on the Higher National Diploma in Agriculture while Andrew Wright is a first year student on the BSc Agricultural Technology programme offered in partnership between CAFRE and Queen’s University Belfast.

Each year leading agri-businesses provide bursaries for students commencing programmes in higher education. Each of the three students completed thought-provoking reports on topical titles provided by the bursary sponsors.  Winners are selected on a competitive basis.

David Armstrong, a former pupil of Drumragh Integrated College, received his scholarship from the Northern Bank.  Jonathan Campbell was awarded his bursary from the Thomas Henry Foundation; and Andrew Wright received his bursary from the Ulster Grassland Society.  Both Jonathan and Andrew are past pupils of Omagh Academy.

Jonathan Campbell is from a dairy farm near Gortin and enjoys indoor soccer as well as charity work, and is a member of Newtownstewart YFC.  David Armstrong is from a dairy farm at Beragh and hobbies include badminton, horse-riding and judo.  Andrew Wright’s home farm at Lissan Rd Omagh has dairy and beef enterprises and he values Greenmount’s “learning by doing” approach.

At the presentation ceremony, Mr John Fay, CAFRE Director, congratulated the three students on their comprehensive investigations. “Young people like David, Jonathan and Andrew will play a key role in the future of our industry and CAFRE acknowledges the support from the industry for students studying on higher education programmes at Greenmount.”

Andrew comments, “These bursaries have provided us with a great start to our higher education and it is most encouraging that industry is willing to invest in young people embarking on a career in agriculture.”  The students are intending to use the money to finance their studies at Greenmount and to help them enjoy college life to the full.

Photo 1: Mr George Reid (left) Secretary of the Ulster Grassland Society and Mr John Fay Director of CAFRE congratulate Andrew Wright (Lissan Rd, Omagh), who received his £1,000 bursary from the Ulster Grassland Society.

Photo 2: Jonathan Campbell (Gortin) receives his £1,000 bursary from the Thomas Henry Foundation.  Congratulating Jonathan (from left to right) are Mr Keith Willis (Thomas Henry Foundation), Dr Michael Mullan (CAFRE), and Dr John Orr (Thomas Henry Foundation).

Photo 3: David Armstrong (Beragh) receives his £1,000 scholarship from Mr John Henning (right) Head of Agriculture at Northern Bank, and Mr John Fay (left) Director of CAFRE.