A charity in Northern Ireland is offering “a substantial financial contribution” to students on agriculture programmes this year.
According to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) the charity, Gibson Trust, will contribute to the cost of study tours that are on offer to final year students.
The Gibson Trust was set up to celebrate the life of William Gibson, a businessman from Dromore, Co. Down.
When he died in 1913, Gibson bequeathed money to help produce an income for eligible farmers in Antrim and Down.
In recent years the charity has worked closely with CAFRE, and supported students studying agriculture programmes on its Greenmount Campus.
Students on CAFRE’s Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Agriculture programme can travel to England, Scotland, and Wales to gain first hand experience of the agriculture industry.
This year’s tours will take place in the third week of May, when all assessments have been completed and handed in. The tour is considered an essential part of CAFRE’s Level 3 programme.
Agriculture students
Sharon McLaren, acting head of agriculture education at CAFRE, believes that study tours extend learning beyond the confines of a classroom.
“Visits to farm enterprises offer students a chance to engage with real-world experiences. We believe the study tours enhance our learners’ academic, personal, and professional growth.
“We are sincerely thankful to The Gibson Trust for offering financial support to CAFRE’s Further Education Agriculture students,” she said.
During the visits there is an opportunity to interact with business owners, professionals, and peers in various fields.
According to CAFRE building these connections will “enhance the students’ experience and offer them a glimpse into potential career paths, along with the skills required for success”.
Joe Mulholland, senior lecturer added: “This year we have 68 final year Level 3 students who have expressed an interest in taking part in the programme.
“The study tours will be a cornerstone of our experiential learning, something which is strongly encouraged within CAFRE.”
