Cork and Kildare students awarded Dairygold bursaries at UCC
UCC students Sarah Shannon, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, and Katy Halpin, Colbinstown, Co. Kildare, have been awarded the 2025 Dairygold Co-Operative Society bursary for 2025.
Available to students undertaking the Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at University College Cork (UCC), the degree programme has input from across the university and is offered in partnership with Teagasc.
The students will receive an annual bursary for the duration of their four-year undergraduate studies and will also be offered the opportunity to conduct their 12-week industry placement with Dairygold.
Speaking at the awarding of the bursaries, Dairygold Chief Executive, Michael Harte said: “Our strategic partnership with University College Cork and Teagasc is very important. Initiatives such as the Dairygold Agricultural Science Bursary allow us to continue to invest in the future of agriculture and succession planning within the sector.
“The future of the agriculture sector is crucial for our economy and, through partnerships such as this, we can ensure its long-term economic and sustainable success. By recognising and supporting individuals like Sarah and Katy, we drive positive change and innovation within the industry, and I wish them all the best in their future studies.”
Professor Frank Buckley, Head of Agricultural Science and Academic Director of the Agricultural Science degree programme at UCC thanked Dairygold for their “continued generosity and foresight in providing this fantastic award, which aims to identify emerging young talent and contributes to the development of the next generation of leading agri-professionals”.
Professor Buckley added: “Our ambition from the outset has been to attract Ireland’s brightest and best, and as evidenced by demand for the course, and the calibre of students attracted, as exemplified by our bursary winners, we are certainly succeeding in this regard, and excited for the future.”
Professor Buckley also complimented Sarah and Katy, congratulated them, and wished them well with their studies at UCC.
With a growing world population, projected to exceed 9 billion by 2025, Head, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme at Teagasc, Professor Laurence Shalloo added that agri-food sector and agricultural professionals need a strong technical, agronomic and environmental knowledge base to ensure the production of safe, nutritious food products, while protecting the environment.
“This degree is especially tailored to attract those individuals with a particular passion for dairying and provides a rigorous understanding of the science of agriculture, the business of farming and sustainability that is necessary to underpin the profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of Irish dairying and the wider agri-food industry,” Professor Shalloo added.
Dr Antony Knights, Head, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences said: “We sincerely thank Dairygold for their ongoing support of our students through this bursary. This endorsement highlights the strength and relevance of our curriculum, which blends academic rigour with hands-on skills and industry experience. I wish Sarah and Katy the very best in their studies and future endeavours.”