South East Technological University (SETU) and the Department of Land Sciences recently celebrated the awarding of postgraduate degrees to the inaugural graduates of the MSc in Organic and Biological Agriculture programmes.
In total six students graduated with Postgraduate diplomas and four with Master’s degrees in Organic and Biological Agriculture at SETU’s conferring ceremonies held recently at SETU Arena.
Head of Department of Land Sciences, Eleanor Kent said that the graduation marked a significant milestone in the development of postgraduate land science programmes.
“The Organic and Biological Agriculture programme is the first of its kind in Ireland and the graduation of 10 students this year is the result of a significant and dedicated effort by lecturers and researchers in the Department of Land Sciences at SETU in Waterford,” Ms Kent said.
Programme Leader, John Geraghty, noted that this was a wonderful achievement for all the awardees. “The new graduates have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the two-year programme including various courses on organic and regenerative agriculture systems (soil health, crop and livestock management, human nutrition, agroforestry, biodiversity, project management, marketing) and undertaking innovative research while continuing to work or farm at home.”
It was heart-warming to see the first graduates from this third level programme, the first of its kind in Ireland.
Sean McGloin Network Manager for the National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS)
Sean McGloin, Network Manager for the National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS), who provide funding support for these Master’s courses, said, “It was heart-warming to see the first graduates from this third level programme, the first of its kind in Ireland. NOTS envisages that graduates of the programme will make a significant contribution to the growth and development of the organic and regenerative agriculture sectors in years to come.
