UCD and FDC Group launch exciting new €50,000 annual scholarship programme for MSc in Agricultural Extension and Innovation students.
UCD, Ireland’s Global University, and FDC Group this evening announced details of an exciting new annual scholarship programme available to students enrolled on the MSc in Agricultural Extension and Innovation programme at one of UCD’s top performing schools; the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science.
The scholarships valued at €50,000 euro per annum were awarded, following competition, to four students enrolled on the MSc in Agricultural Extension and Innovation programme. This year’s recipients are Thea Broderick (Limerick), Grainne Aherne (Limerick), Eimear Tobin (Meath) and Jack Kennedy (Kilkenny). The scholarships valued at €12,500 per student will be paid as a stipend to support living costs and the successful scholars will also have an opportunity to complete the placement and research component of their programme with the FDC Group.
Pictured at the launch of the FDC Group scholarship with UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science are from left to right: Jack Murphy, Managing Director, FDC Group; Dr Monica Gorman, Programme Director, UCD MSc Agricultural Extension and Innovation; Liam Dillion, Regional Manager FDC Group and, Professor Karina Pierce, Director of External Relations, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science.
Commenting on the new scholarship programme and collaboration with FDC Group, UCD Dean of Agriculture and Head of the School of Agriculture and Food Science, Professor Frank Monahan said “We are delighted to announce details of this exciting new collaboration with FDC Group. FDC Group’s ambitious growth strategy and commitment to delivering a full service nationally will require a continuous pipeline of talented UCD graduates. The FDC Group scholarship programme will make a significant contribution to students enrolled on our flagship MSc in Agricultural Extension and Innovation programme annually and highlights the recognition and continued demand for highly sought after UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science graduates.”
The FDC/UCD scholarships were announced as part of the prestigious annual UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science Awards Ceremony which took place virtually on Thursday, 25th November at 6pm. Jack Murphy, Managing Director, FDC Group was delighted to attend the ceremony on behalf of FDC Group and said “FDC Group is delighted to launch this exciting new scholarship programme with the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science. The scholarship programme will support the continued expansion of FDC Group and enable FDC Group to create new knowledge and opportunities for our clients across every county in Ireland. We look forward to welcoming Thea, Grainne, Eimear and Jack to complete their placement and research dissertation with FDC Group and to expanding our geographical network and client base to meet the service needs of our business and farming clients, throughout rural Ireland.”
The 2021 FDC Group/UCD scholarship recipients from left to right are: Grainne Aherne; Jack Kennedy; Eimear Tobin and Thea Broderick.
Dr Monica Gorman, Programme Director of the MSc in Ag Extension and Innovation Programme is confident the collaboration between FDC Group and the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science will be rewarding for all parties “Agricultural Sciences at University College Dublin was recently ranked number one in Ireland, 5th in Europe an 20th globally based on the latest US News and World Report Subject rankings. The partnership with FDC Group aligns well to the UCD Rising to the Future strategy 2020-2024 and in particular Theme 1; Creating a sustainable global society. The Masters in Agricultural Extension and Innovation team at UCD look forward to developing our relationship with FDC Group and to embracing the principles of sustainability in everything that we do.”
The FDC/UCD scholarships were launched at the annual UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science Awards Ceremony. The ceremony is one of the highlights of the School’s academic year and a total of 65 awards were presented to students and graduates at this year’s virtual ceremony including medals, certificates and monetary awards. Three new awards generously sponsored by Devenish Nutrition, the Agricultural Science Association and FDC Group were awarded alongside existing awards sponsored by companies including Glanbia, Kerry, Danone, Grant Thornton, Irish Farmers Journal, Agricultural Consultants Association, Carbery Group, AIB, Teagasc, Nutricia and FBD Insurance.
ENDS
For further Information please contact :Damien Dempsey, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, Email: Damien.dempsey@ucd.ie