CAFRE’s Loughry Campus hosted the annual event attended by Agriculture, Equine, Food and Horticulture students and industry partners.
Fintan McCann, head of Food Education, remarked: “Today we recognise the significant scale of financial support from our industry partners across our degree disciplines of Agriculture, Equine, Food and Horticulture with an impressive £106,000 being awarded.”
As part of CAFRE’s Industry Support Programme, Food students benefitted from £35,500 of awards. This was assigned to students undertaking BSc Honours and Foundation Degree programmes validated by Ulster University, at Loughry Campus, Cookstown.
Twelve companies presented bursary awards to students which included Avondale Foods, Bank of Ireland, Dale Farm, Danske Bank, Fane Valley, Henderson Group, Kerry (Omagh), Lakeland Dairies, Leprino Foods, Mackle Petfoods, Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association and Tyrone Farming Society. The first year Food degree students received a combined total of £18,000 in bursary awards.
Additionally, seven second-year Food degree students secured scholarship awards, with a combined value of £17,500. These were provided by Avondale Foods, Dunbia, Lakeland Dairies, Mackle Petfoods and Water Technology. The scholarship competition combines a financial payment of £2,500 with the opportunity to complete a paid work placement year within the business.
In his address, Paul McHenry, interim CAFRE director, commented: “The agri-food industry is a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s economy. It contributes significantly to the region’s productivity with total sales exceeding £6 billion per year with a workforce of over 113,000 staff.
“With approximately 90% of its output destined for export markets, the Northern Ireland agri‑food sector is well positioned for continued growth and long‑term career opportunities. "
9. Awards Day
Ross Lorimer from Lakeland Dairies presented Megan Ross with a scholarship award at the Industry Support event. Megan from Ballymena is studying on the second year of the BSc (Hons) Degree in Food Innovation Management. She will complete a period of paid work placement with the business as part of her award. Photo: DAVID A SCOTT
10. Awards Day
Kellie Irwin from Rosslea was presented with a bursary from Lakeland Dairies by Ross Lorimer. Kellie is studying on the Foundation Degree in Food Innovation and Technology at Loughry Campus. Photo: DAVID A SCOTT
11. Awards Day
Francesca Murray from Mackle Petfoods presented two awards to Food students at Loughry Campus. First year Food Innovation Management degree student Aoibheann Devlin from Cookstown received a bursary award, while second year degree student Alex McBride from Cookstown was presented with a Scholarship. Alex will complete his one year work placement with Mackle Petfoods as part of his Food Innovation Management degree course. Photo: DAVID A SCOTT
12. Awards Day
The Fane Valley bursary was presented by Megan Birney to Rachel Moore from Portglenone. Rachel is studying on the first year of the BSc (Hons) Degree in Food Innovation Management course at Loughry Campus. Photo: DAVID A SCOTT