Alltech and Keenan have announced that they are offering scholarships to students attending Salesian Agricultural College.

The companies are offering two scholarships to students attending the college in Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick, for the spring 2021 term.

One full scholarship will be awarded to a second-year student in either the Teagasc Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management or Drystock Herd Management. The scholarship will include international work experience.

The other full scholarship will go to a second-year student in the Teagasc Advanced Certificate in Agricultural Mechanisation course, with a work experience placement at Keenan’s headquarters in Borris, Co. Carlow.

Country manager of Alltech Cathal McCormack said that, by offering these scholarships, the company is “delivering on its commitment to quality education and supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders”.

Principal of Salesian Agricultural College Derek O’Donoghue added that partnering with companies in the nutrition and machinery industries enhances students’ overall learning experience, while also giving them the opportunity to “build international relationships”.

The deadline for application for eligible students is November 1, 2020.

Extension of Covid-19 education fund for agricultural colleges

In recent weeks, AgriLand reported that Macra na Feirme was calling for the extension of the Covid-19 education fund to students of agricultural colleges.

The young farmers’ organisation sought a meeting with Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris to discuss extending the recently-announced Covid-19 education fund to such students.

The fund enables students to purchase laptops, tablets and internet connectivity for remote learning.

Teagasc colleges have almost 6,000 students – and these students have the exact same technological needs as university and institute of technology students, the young farmer organisation asserts.

Shane Fitzgerald, Macra na Feirme Agricultural Affairs Committee chairperson, said: “Students in agricultural colleges are facing the same barriers and challenges as those in universities and institutes of technology. These students cannot be left without support.”