Dairygold Co-operative Society has awarded two undergraduate bursaries to students undertaking the Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at University College Cork (UCC).
The course is anchored in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UCC with input from across the university, and in partnership with Teagasc.
This year’s recipients are Molly Kenny from Ballyduff, Co Waterford and Eoghan Rodahan from Montenotte, Cork city, who are both in their first year of the Bachelor of Agricultural Science at UCC.
The successful students will receive an annual bursary for the duration of their four-year undergraduate studies at UCC and will also be offered the opportunity to conduct their 12-week Industry Placement with Dairygold.
Conor Galvin, Dairygold CEO, said: “We are delighted to continue this strategic partnership with UCC and Teagasc which will nurture and develop the agri-business leaders of the future. In an ever expanding and growing agri food industry, Dairygold is looking forward to working with graduates like Molly and Eoghan who will have developed invaluable knowledge, skills and expertise coming from this degree programme. This collaboration forms part of our strategy to create a high-calibre pipeline of talent which will ultimately strengthen our organisation”.
Dairygold’s sponsorship of the bursaries began in 2019 to mark the introduction of the first Agricultural Science degree at UCC. The recipients are selected following an application process, inclusive of interview.
Professor Frank Buckley, Professor of Agricultural Science and academic director of the Agricultural Science degree programme (CK412) at UCC, thanked Dairygold for their “continued generosity and foresight in providing this fantastic award which aims to identify emerging young talent, and contribute to the support and development of the next generation of leading agri-professionals. Our ambition from the outset has been to attract Ireland’s brightest and best, and as evidenced by demand for the course, and the calibre of students attracted, as exemplified by our Bursary winners today, we are certainly succeeding in this regard, and excited for the future.
“Delivered by UCC in partnership with Teagasc, Agricultural Science at UCC provides students with an unquestionably unique and unparalleled opportunity, the most up-to-date research curriculum, delivered first hand by the foremost experts who are recognized both nationally and internationally, access to many of Irelands most profitable, sustainable and in many cases award winning dairy farmers, for our regular field-based training and our 18-week dairy Work Placements, many guest lectures and seminars delivered by Industry leaders and representatives of key service providers, and a 12-week individually tailored industry placement.
“Thus, providing our students with unique opportunities to be immersed in ‘best practice’, deepening their knowledge, opening up opportunity, and forming a key part of their personal and professional development.”
Frank complimented Molly and Eoghan, and congratulated them on their magnificent achievement, and wished them well with their studies at UCC.
Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc, added: “Globally, we face a challenge to feed a population that is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050. To meet this challenge, the Agri-food sector and agricultural professionals need a strong technical, agronomic and environmental knowledge base to ensure the production of safe, nutritious food products, while protecting the environment. This degree is especially tailored to attract those individuals with a particular passion for dairying and provides a rigorous understanding of the science of agriculture, business acumen and sustainability that is necessary to underpin the profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of Irish dairying and the wider agri-food industry.”
Professor Astrid Wingler, Head of the School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences added: “I would like to congratulate Molly and Eoghan on receiving these bursaries from Dairygold. These scholarships give students an opportunity to avail of valuable work experience through a placement with one of Ireland’s largest agri businesses. We are grateful to Dairygold for their ongoing support of our BAgrSc programme and we are delighted to continue this successful partnership into the future.”
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