ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ

Rabobank scholars celebrated

Posted 1 March 2014

The first two students selected for ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ’s only full-fees scholarships programme, to prepare them for careers in agri-business, have been congratulated at a special ceremony. 

Almost 100 students received scholarships, worth more than £200,000 in the current year, at the annual ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ Development Trust presentation event. 

Among them were Jacob Irwin, 19, from Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and Liz Andow, 18, from Swettenham, Cheshire: the first two Rabobank Agri-food scholars. 

Sponsored by the global leader in food and agri finance, the Rabobank scholarships are worth £9,000 in each of the three academic years of the student’s Harper Adams course. In addition, the scholar is guaranteed a paid sandwich-year work placement with a partner company. 

This summer, Jacob, who has been sponsored by Rabobank since he began his studies in October 2012, will be heading off to work for dairy producer Yeo Valley. 

BSc (Hons) Agri-business student Jacob, a former pupil of the Royal School Armagh, said: “I would like to thank both Rabobank and Yeo Valley for this opportunity. I am still overwhelmed by the fact they selected me! I am looking forward to my placement with Yeo Valley and will make the most out of all opportunities that I get. 

“This scholarship will give me the best possible chance at learning the skills that are needed to progress far in the agri business sector.”

Liz, also studying agri-business, who was selected as a Rabobank scholar when she began her course in October 2013, will complete a second year of study before working for salad company Florette during the 2015/16 academic year. 

The former pupil of Eaton Bank Academy, Congleton, said: “The scholarship is an exciting opportunity to be involved with an exciting and growing company well-known in the fresh produce sector and a household brand. Working with Florette will provide me with an invaluable experience to learn all about the fresh produce sector, and I hope I can apply knowledge learned here at Harper Adams to benefit Florette. 

“I feel so lucky to have been chosen to receive the Rabobank scholarship. Not only has the award relieved me of any debt worries after university, but the support shown by the team at Florette makes me very excited to enter the placement, through which I will learn about the countless aspects of working within a successful multi-national company, along with the challenges involved within the fresh produce sector,” added the Congleton Young Farmer. 

Applications are now being taken for the third Rabobank Agri-food Scholarship, supported by retail giant Marks & Spencer. For information, click .