Press Release
Hertfordshire Agricultural Student Selected for Special Bursary Award
13 December 2012
A postgraduate agricultural student from the University of Hertfordshire has been selected to receive a bursary from The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust – the ‘Centenary Award’.
Georgia Mitrousia, who lives in Hatfield, was selected for the award for her PhD in Life Sciences (prevention of disease in oilseed rape) at the University.
The award scheme, launched by the UK’s leading rural insurer NFU Mutual to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2010, is in its third year and gives annual bursaries to pay seventy-five per cent of course fees for selected post graduate students in agriculture. Georgia is one of only five students to have been chosen for a bursary this year, with applications for the award received from across the UK.
In talking about her bursary award Georgia said: “This award gives me the opportunity to continue my academic studies in a subject I am passionate about and make a positive contribution to the agricultural industry through my research. Being selected by The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust is a positive asset for my future, as it will help me to pursue a career path in the UK agricultural industry.”
She added: “Being particularly interested in crop protection, I strongly believe that I can apply my knowledge to ensure higher quality growth of crops. I would like to follow a career that will enable me to transfer knowledge to growers, advisors and breeders for efficient agricultural productivity.”
The award’s judging panel looked for applicants who were not only excellent academic performers, but were also committed to the future of agriculture. The objective was to select potential rural leaders of the future, so that the bursary payments will not only help the individual students, but also benefit the agricultural industry at large.
As a rural insurer, with its history interwoven in farming, NFU Mutual recognises the challenges facing the agricultural industry such as climate change, food security, and international agricultural development. Richard Percy, NFU Mutual Chairman, said: “At NFU Mutual we recognise the crucial role students in agriculture play in the future of the industry. Our aim for the Centenary Award scheme is to create a long-standing legacy for the future, and highlight our commitment to young people and the countryside.”
The award was open to students who had gained, or were expected to gain a 2:1 or above in agriculture or a closely related degree, and had been accepted on a Masters or PhD course in agriculture in the UK.
The Centenary Award is a long-term scheme, and bursaries will again be available in 2013. Applications for the award next year will be invited from the start of January 2013 Information about the scheme can be found on the NFU Mutual website: www.nfumutual.co.uk. Prospective post graduate agricultural students who would like to find out more about the award can contact centenary_award@nfumutual.co.uk.
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