National Firm Sponsors Harper Adams' Award

Posted 17 March 2006

A LEADING property consultancy firm has offered to sponsor a module at Harper Adams University College.
National company, Smiths Gore, are set to sponsor a second year module on the BSc Rural Enterprise and Land Management (REALM) course.
Andrew Black, Senior Surveyor in the Lichfield branch of the company and          ex student of the REALM course established the sponsorship and prize - called the “Smiths Gore Rural Professional Practice Award”.
The award gives all second year students a real life case study location and three generous cash prizes to top students.
Commenting on the award, Andrew said: “As an ex student I was keen to put something back into the university college, in terms of a tangible prize, case study location and a strong link with the industry. 
“I was delighted to inform Harper Adams of the offer of the annual award which boasts an £800 prize to be shared between the three winners.
“I enjoyed re-visiting the university college immensely to launch the assignment and introduce the firm. Students such as those at Harper Adams really are the lifeblood of the industry and forging strong links between universities and firms such as Smiths Gore can only be a good thing”. 
The assignment requires students to prepare a professional report as if they were Assistant Surveyors working for Smiths Gore’s Lichfield office.  Marks will be awarded on the quality of the report presentation, the site overview, the planning and development appraisal and the student’s calculations of the likely financial receipts.
Simon Keeble, Manager of the REALM course, added: “We are really pleased this has been launched. It enables the students to form strong links with big firms and it is enhanced because Andrew is an ex-student and a local man.”
The deadline for the project is May 3rd and it is expected the winning students will be awarded their prizes at their graduation in September.