Four UCD Agricultural Science students awarded with sought-after overseas professional development travel bursaries
The ASA and Irish Farmers Journal announce recipients of four awards
The Agricultural Science Association (ASA) and the Irish Farmers Journal have announced details of the recipients of the much-coveted PWE (Professional Work Experience) travel bursaries. The sought-after bursaries encourage students to expand their knowledge of the global agri-food sector by gaining practical experience while travelling overseas. Four third-level Agricultural Science students from University College Dublin will be supported via the award while on work placements in New Zealand, Chile, and Europe this year.
2020 will mark the fifth year of this joint initiative from the ASA and Irish Farmers Journal whereby students who express an interest in fulfilling the work placement module of their degree overseas are rewarded with a travel bursary.
From UCD, the recipients of the 2020 Travel Bursary in association with the ASA and Irish Farmers Journal are:
- Aaron Kealy from Dunshaughlin Meath is a third year Animal Science student at University College Dublin (UCD). He will travel from July to December and spend time on farms across Bradenburg in Germany and Aberdeenshire in Scotland.
- Laura Maloney from Birr Co. Offaly is a third year Animal & Crop Production student at University College Dublin (UCD). She will travel to Wales in February before moving on to Denmark in April and will work across dairy and sheep, assisting with calving and lambing duties along with general farm maintenance and duties.
- Edel Cashman from Carrigtwohill Co. Cork is a third-year Animal & Crop Production student at University College Dublin (UCD). She will travel to Canterbury, New Zealand in January where she will spend sixteen weeks on a dairy farm and will be working on grass and fodder management for the winter period, along with animal health and body conditioning.
- Mark Shorten from Bandon Co. Cork is a third-year Dairy Business student also at University College Dublin (UCD). He will travel to New Zealand in July where he will spend five months on a dairy farm and learn about large-scale dairying and grass management
Seamus O’Mahony, ASA President said, “The Agricultural Science Association endeavours to enhance and support our Agricultural Science students through professional development opportunities to ensure Ireland’s position as a global leader is maintained, all the while strengthening the future of our agri-food industry. As with previous years, the standard of applications was extremely impressive and we look forward to receiving updates from the six students throughout their time overseas.”
Odile Evans, Careers & Property Editor, Irish Farmers Journal said, “It is brilliant to once again partner with the ASA to award six travel bursaries to agricultural-science students. Undoubtedly, this is an excellent opportunity for third-level students to gain practical experience in the agriculture industry overseas, and to build on their existing knowledge of the Irish landscape which will benefit their career development and ultimately provide students with a unique perspective. We will be sharing individual stories from each student over the coming months.”