Scott wins ASSET agronomy prize

Posted 22 January 2013

A Harper Adams agriculture student has been awarded a £3,000 bursary for outstanding achievement in his studies.

21-year-old Scott Hayles is one of four winners of this year’s ASSET (Agricultural Science Student Education Training) prize, a joint initiative between NIAB TAG and four leading crop science universities.

Scott, who studies BSc (Hons) Agriculture and Crop Management is currently on his placement year with Syngenta, and has spent the past two summers working in Botswana learning about African bush management and consultancy.

Scott, from Newport, Isle of Wight, said: “I am extremely pleased to have won this award, I saw taking part not only as a personal challenge, but also a way of increasing my knowledge whilst helping my career along the way.

“The added bonus of the award was completing the John Forrest training course, of which I was invited to attend. The course was extremely helpful to any student that wishes to progress their career with the understanding of communications and media skills.

“I give a great deal of thanks to NIAB TAG and Dr Matt Back from Harper Adams for organizing the award.”

ASSET is an innovative training and award scheme aimed at encouraging students into the plant science sector.

Scott received the prize at the AICC Conference from Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Cowlrick, on January 16.

Aside from Scott, three students from other partner universities also received ASSET prizes – Greg Colebrook, Tom Blanchard and Stephanie Abbott.

NIAB TAG’s Dr Juno McKee, said: “ASSET’s aim is to support and encourage the best undergraduates into careers that will support applied research and knowledge transfer for the future benefit of the arable sector. The programme encourages students to take ‘crop’ modules and directs them towards crop orientated dissertations.

“Greg, Scott, Tom and Stephanie have been rewarded for showing outstanding initiative, knowledge and ambition throughout their studies, combined with a comprehensive understanding of the issues faced by the crop production sector. We’re looking forward to watching how the careers of our winners progress in the future."

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