Study exchange for labs manager

Posted 24 August 2012

Laboratory Manager at Harper Adams University College, Dr Victoria Talbot, has taken part in a study exchange to the Canadian Prairies.

Dr Talbot applied for the Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) - an annual program that gives young professionals the experience of another country, including culture and lifestyle as well as aspects relevant to their career.

She became interested in the programme after hearing that the study tour was visiting Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, home of the University of Saskatchewan - the place where a technique that she utilised in her PhD research programme was developed.

Dr Talbot said: “When I saw the word Saskatchewan mentioned, I thought this could be brilliant; that if I managed to get a place on this team I might be able to meet up with the people who developed the technique and meet the company that sprung out of it as well, and see if we could explore some potential collaborative opportunities.”

Whilst in Canada, Victoria visited a number of laboratories and universities, including Brandon Research Centre for Agriculture and Agri-Food; engineering laboratories in Regina and the University Of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

She also visited a company in Saskatoon that now uses the technique used during her PhD to advise farmers throughout Canada - Western Ag Innovations.

Dr Talbot believes the trip has had a very positive effect. She said: “ I don’t actually know that much about UK agriculture, which sounds potty I suppose, but coming back from the trip it has made me more aware of the environment that I’m in, what people are doing, what’s growing in the fields and how things are done here.”

Aside from educational visits, Dr Talbot also had the chance to drive a 420 horse power tractor, a photo of which attracted the attention of engineering colleagues at Harper Adams.

She was also able to experience the ‘real’ Canada by being accommodated with Canadian families instead of hotels.

In exchange, Jody Jury, who farms with her parents in Manitoba, was able to visit the UK as part of the GSE.

As well as touring the University College campus including the anaerobic digester and dairy unit, she visited Shrewsbury, the Ironbridge museums and Staffordshire.

Jody said: “I’ve learnt about farming practices in the UK and what we as Canadians can learn from such intensive systems in the UK, as well as just meeting people. I love meeting and talking to new people and going to a different area of the world that I’ve never been to before.

“It’s nice learning how farmers manage in such tight spaces with farming restrictions, so it’s been interesting.”

Employer Engagement Quality Assurance Manager, Dr Heidi Cunningham has recently been accepted on the Rotary GSE for next year and will be visiting India.