Skip navigation

Gloucestershire Business News

University unveils £2.5 million post-Brexit agricultural programme

The Royal Agricultural University has announced a £2.5 million initiative to help meet the needs of the land management and agri-food sectors post-Brexit.

The plan will see the Cirencester-based RAU partner with the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) at the University of Gloucestershire and University College of Estate Management (UCEM), together with industry stakeholders.

£1.1 million of funding for the project was provided by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), through its Catalyst Fund..

Professor Joanna Price, Vice-Chancellor of the RAU (pictured below), said: "This exciting initiative will address the unprecedented opportunities and challenges posed by the rapidly changing political, economic and natural environments by providing leadership training and education in the land management and agri-food sectors, especially suited to the post-Brexit era.

"Working closely with industry, we are establishing a new academic team and developing a set of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that reflect the emerging needs of the sector."

The project will bring together academics from different disciplines and the partner organisations who will work alongside a group of industry stakeholders. Professor David Main, a veterinary surgeon and international expert in farm animal welfare and knowledge exchange research, is the first member of this new team, having joined the RAU from the University of Bristol Veterinary School.

The RAU will be offering two new postgraduate programmes from September 2019 followed by two new undergraduate programmes in 2020. This will focus on leadership in the food and agri-business sector, rural policy and strategy, agro-ecology, sustainability and innovative land management.

A range of experts from the food supply chain, farming, land management, banking and NGOs, are supporting the project.

UCEM is a leader in online education and will build an appropriate infrastructure enabling programme delivery as supported through online learning, accelerated degrees and part-time programmes.

Professor Price added: "Brexit offers a once in a generation opportunity for the UK to embrace new approaches to managing land and the food supply chain, thus potentially enabling increased productivity while ensuring animal welfare, quality of habitats and the sustainability of rural communities.

"Our initiative enables the RAU to meet this need and, together with our academic and industry partners, drive the change and innovation required to capitalise on the opportunities and overcome the challenges which lie ahead."

Yvonne Hawkins, director of teaching excellence and student experience at the Office for Students, said: "This initiative will enable the delivery of new teaching provision and skills which stand to benefit both students and employers, and the quality of their respective engagement will be crucial for success."

Professor Janet Dwyer, director of the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI), said: "This will be a great opportunity to bring together the strengths of the CCRI and the Royal Agricultural University, working with other partners in the agri-food and farming sector to help develop the talented, resourceful and resilient business leaders that will be needed in the decades ahead.

Lynne Downey, Vice Principal - Online Education at UCEM, said: "I am delighted that UCEM is part of this project with the Royal Agricultural University, helping to provide more flexible learning opportunities to the land management and agri-food sectors.

"At UCEM, we are proud to have a significant pedigree in developing and offering programmes through supported online education and are excited to be able to extend our offering into new industries.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to further develop future talent within these sectors and we look forward to working with both the University of Gloucestershire and RAU to achieve great results."

Picture credit: Pixabay

Related Articles

EXCLUSIVE: Vantage Point Business Village SOLD Image

EXCLUSIVE: Vantage Point Business Village SOLD

More than 70 Forest businesses have new owners in £48m deal.

EXCLUSIVE: Barbershop intruders are nicked – after three close shaves Image

EXCLUSIVE: Barbershop intruders are nicked – after three close shaves

Police nab two youths at Gloucester Docks premises.

Leccy price drop: could your annual EV commute cost less than £130? Image

Leccy price drop: could your annual EV commute cost less than £130?

EV charger firm points to stark findings for business drivers.

Phase 1 of Stanway Viaduct repair complete Image

Phase 1 of Stanway Viaduct repair complete

Viaduct handed back to Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway trains.

Copyright 2024 Moose Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content is strictly forbidden without prior permission.