University supporters thanked by Chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal

Posted 20 October 2015

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Supporters of Harper Adams have been personally thanked by University Chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal, at a reception held in the London offices of scholarships partner, Rabobank

The Chancellor took time out last Wednesday evening to speak to every guest at the reception, each of whom had made a contribution to the success of the University in recent years – and some for many years. 

Vice Chancellor Dr David Llewellyn began the evening by outlining the need to invest in the science behind the agri-food chain. “We need to focus on innovation and on research and development,” he said. “If we are to continue to deliver great things we need a cadre of people with agricultural systems expertise to support the agri-food sector and to create the next generation of leading academics who will teach our future undergraduates. 

“A mix of practical and theoretical education in applied agricultural science can fire up enthusiasm in students to see the potential for careers in the sector – just as our Founder, Thomas Harper Adams, came to believe some 124 years ago, in 1891, when he left the sum of £45,000 to create our institution. Our predecessors put these resources to great use and, more recently, a large number of you in this room have made significant contributions to our success, supporting staff appointments, scholarships for our students and capital developments that have created outstanding facilities for their education.”

The university’s latest fundraising project has been for an extension to its science laboratories. £2.2million has been raised from the Government and donors, including the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust. The university is applying for planning permission and expects to start work on the new facilities in early 2016. 

Dr Llewellyn said the development would help to address a gap in agricultural science education, but that further support was required to fit out the first floor, for which the university would welcome approaches from or leads to potential donors. “We are determined to continue to deliver world-class education for our students and to ensure that we produce graduates who have the ability to put what they have learned into practice,” he said.

The Princess Royal added: “What we get on the plate follows a rather more complicated journey that it has in the past. Nature and food is where science starts. Science is the element, alongside engineering, that tends to get left out when talking about what agriculture means. I have seen a huge change in the way science is being highlighted at Harper Adams – and this is what we are talking about tonight, making sure we have the facilities in absolutely the right place for what will be needed in the future. 

“Thank you to those of you who have had the opportunity to not just see the changes that I have seen at Harper Adams but also had the sense to support the University’s students. Rabobank has set a very good example of that with its scholarships and I thank you very much for your hospitality tonight. I will look forward to the next addition at Harper Adams and that science element being highlighted. It has been a pleasure joining you tonight.”