The first cohort of graduates in Agricultural Science and Sustainability at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) have been conferred with their degrees.

17 graduates received their parchments at the recent TUS conferring ceremonies on the Moylish Campus in Limerick, which also marked the final graduation ceremony for retiring TUS President Prof. Vincent Cunanne.

The course, run in conjunction with Gurteen Agricultural College in Co. Tipperary, is designed to develop graduates’ skills in managing agriculture and its interaction with the environment.

It allows students to take advantage of the growing employment opportunities by focusing on the practical application of knowledge and skills required in agri‑business and on‑farm settings, TUS said.

It also includes a semester of work placement.

Placements for the class of 2026 included roles in Teagasc, Kerry Group, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and sustainability roles within local county councils, as well as farms in the UK, Germany and New Zealand.

TUS said that some graduates are now travelling abroad to experience agriculture in other countries, while others have progressed onto the Masters' programme.

Other graduates have found professional roles in the Shannon region, including jobs back at where they did their placements.

TUS said the course is designed to give graduates the practical skills in the laboratory, fieldwork and farm skills to work in a broad range of sectors.

In the second semester of year 3, students can take part in a work placement of their choice.

Students of the four-year course spend their time between TUS Thurles, and Gurteen College and its 414ha farm, which includes a number of enterprises. The course also fulfils the requirements of the Trained Farmer Status (Green Cert).

Commenting on the graduation, TUS president Prof. Cunnane said: "Congratulations to the first cohort of students to graduate from the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science and Sustainability.

"This is a highly innovative and relevant degree developed with our partners in Gurteen College. This partnership is absolutely central in how we move forward in this sphere," Prof. Cunnane added.

He said: "It is wonderful to see the first graduates emerge from the programme, and we all look forward to seeing many more in the future.

"This course ensures we remain engaged in bringing people together to share knowledge for the benefit of our region and beyond while also focusing on providing solutions to real-world problems," Prof. Cunnane commented.

Jon Parry, principal of Gurteen College, said that TUS and Gurteen College running the course together "made for a powerful combination".

He said: "We have a big farm, so we have a lot of resources and a lot of connections into the industry.

"The course is actually increasing in numbers. We had 17 students who graduated this year and there’s 45 due to graduate next year," Parry noted.