Trop agronomy students honoured with awards

Four crop science students have won an industry award for outstanding achievement in their studies.

NIAB TAG’s Agricultural Science Student Education Training (ASSET) programme is a joint initiative with four leading crop science universities; Reading, Harper Adams, Newcastle and Nottingham, aimed at encouraging more students into the plant science sector.

The programme supports crop science students in their studies by providing valuable agronomic information and leads, tailored to the curriculum of each university, as well as important networking links with the applied research and agronomy industry through NIAB TAG.

Newcastle’s Robert Barker, Harper Adams’ William Watts, Nottingham’s Jack Norris and Reading’s Chris Phillips each win a £3,000 bursary to assist them in their final year at university. The awards were presented by NIAB TAG chief executive Dr Tina Barsby at the HGCA 2010 Agronomists’ Conference.

The winners, one from each university, were chosen on the quality of specific second year project work, a recommendation from their tutors and an interview with NIAB TAG staff. They will also receive NIAB TAG’s quarterly technical journal Landmark Bulletin free for two years, and early access to opportunities within the organisation and initiatives in the wider crop science sector relevant to their studies.

"The aim of NIAB TAG ASSET programme is to inspire students to better understand how they might aim to make a difference to the UK agricultural industry in their future careers," explains Dr Barsby. "We specifically want to encourage the best undergraduates into careers that will support applied research and knowledge transfer for the future benefit of the arable sector.

"Robert, William, Jack and Chris have been rewarded for outstanding knowledge and initiative in their studies. It is a fantastic achievement, and I wish them all well in their final year of study and look forward to watching how their careers progress in the future," says Dr Barsby.

The scheme is available to students enrolled in a specific crop based module in their second year. Students register their interest in participating in the programme with their course tutor, who puts forward candidates to NIAB TAG staff.

The ASSET programme is funded by NIAB TAG with generous support from The NIAB Trust and The Morley Agricultural Foundation.