UCD scoop award for Leadership in Agricultural Education
The UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science claimed the award for Excellence in Education at the 2016 Agribusiness Awards
The UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science received a major award recognizing outstanding leadership in agricultural education and training at the Agribusiness Awards on Thursday, 17th November at the Ballsbridge Hotel. The awards ceremony provides an important opportunity to celebrate the many achievements in agriculture and food and was attended by more than 200 distinguished figures from across the industry.
UCD Dean of Agriculture, Professor Alexander Evans accepting award for Leadership in Agricultural Education and Training from Mr. Michael Berkery, Chairman FBD at the Agribusiness Awards on Thursday, 17th November 2016.
Commenting on the award, UCD Dean of Agriculture Professor Alexander Evans said, “I am delighted to collect this award on behalf of my colleagues at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. It is particularly gratifying to receive this award, from the agribusiness community, given that our programmes are designed to equip future leaders of this sector with the necessary scientific, technical and business skills required to grow Ireland’s global agri-food industry.”
UCD is the only university in Ireland with a dedicated School of Agriculture and Food Science and the school is the first destination of choice for students in Ireland interested in developing their careers in the agri-food sector. The school is highly regarded nationally and internationally and Agriculture and Forestry is one of twelve subject areas at UCD ranked number one in Ireland. Agriculture and Forestry is also one of eleven-subject areas at UCD ranked in the top 100 in the world based on the 2016 QS World Subject Rankings and recent analysis of publications in the subject area of Food Science & Technology shows that UCD now ranks number 1 in the world on field weighted citation impact (source Elsevier SciVal).
The School of Agriculture and Food Science is celebrating 178 years of Agricultural Education and Research at UCD in 2016 and examples of recent successful initiatives where the school have had an involvement include the official opening of the €2.3m UCD Lyons Dairy Research and Education Facility at UCD Lyons Farm, UCD Evolution of Land Plants Garden receiving a gold medal for Best Concept Garden at Bloom 2016, the introduction of an exciting new undergraduate degree programme in Agricultural Systems Technology, an inaugural Study Abroad Fair and Debating Competition for School of Agriculture and Food Science students, and a masterclass series for agribusiness professionals in conjunction with the Agricultural Science Association at UCD Lyons Farm.