Students planning industry-linked course dinners

Posted 3 April 2009

A group of Final Year students at Harper Adams University College are introducing Academic Dinners to the college calendar to celebrate the year's achievements and improve ties with industry.

The events, which are being sponsored by various industry leaders, will be an opportunity for students and lecturers to meet with these industry leaders in a social setting.

The Black Tie dinners, to be held in May, will celebrate the past twelve months' achievements for each academic area, and will feature after dinner speakers from relevant industries, bands and discos.

The events will see Peter Kendall, President of the NFU, speaking at the Agriculture and Business Dinner, and Jeremy Moody, Secretary and Advisor to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers speaking at the Rural Enterprise and Land Management and Countryside, Leisure and Tourism Dinner.

There will also be an Engineering and Animals Dinner, and the student-led events will be attended and organised by students from all years.

Paul White, Harper Adams Students Union Representative, one of the organisers, said "This is something really unique to Harper. It will be the first time, certainly in my time at Harper that the Principal, Lecturers, Students and Industry have all sat down to dinner on such a large scale.

"We're hoping the evenings will be something completely different for everyone, both enjoyable and informative. Harper is about the future of rural Britain, and these events are about those people all sitting down to dinner, having a good time and meeting new people".

The events have so far been generously supported by Velcourt, AB Agri, Uncle Henry's Farm Shop and Noble Foods, all of which will be sending along representatives. Paul adds: "The College is very grateful to each of these sponsors.

"In these uncertain times it is more important than ever to ensure that links are maintained with industry, and bridges built for the future."

 The organisers are still looking for additional supporters and anyone else willing to help out should please contact Paul White on 05070500@harper-adams.ac.uk.