Message from the College Director
Welcome to the website of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise. We have a vision for your success and for the success of businesses with whom we work and invite you to be part of it.
The college offers you the opportunity to study a course which will lead to a career in agri-food and rural businesses. If you are already work in the industry, we can help you to continue your professional development or assist you to upskill and innovate to stay ahead in the marketplace.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the major impact that COVID-19 has had on all our lives, whether through education, employment or our social circles. Throughout the pandemic we have continued to keep in touch with our students through online delivery of our education programmes and our Advisers and Technologists have remained in contact with their business clients through online technologies.
We have started the new academic year and are delighted to welcome staff and students back to the college, albeit in a different environment than previously. The majority of our education programmes are being delivered on campus. However where this is not possible blended learning, combining classroom teaching with online learning, is being used. Our business clients are once again receiving support from their Advisers and Technologists with online contact being used where site visits are not possible.
At CAFRE our excellent practical facilities will allow you to learn by practising and trying out new technologies and systems. . These educational facilities on our three campuses in Antrim (Greenmount), Cookstown (Loughry) and Enniskillen support the delivery of a range of courses and technologies in agriculture, food, equine and horticulture.
A College Advisory Group (CAG) representing the main interests within the Northern Ireland agri-food industry was established in January 2007 and provides my senior management team with advice at a strategic and operational level. The Group meets regularly and offers support to the college by reflecting on Government policies and strategies that impact on the agri-food industry.
We acknowledge that many factors which affect our industry are influenced by decisions made elsewhere in the world and we are delighted to offer our students and staff travel opportunities through our international programme. Our links enable us to experience and share information globally, enhancing learning experiences and bringing new technologies and systems to our local industry.
I encourage you to browse our website and discover how we can support you and your career within the agri-food and rural business sector.
Martin McKendry
CAFRE Director