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Historic links with Ireland reaffirmed as Vice-Chancellor meets Guild of Agricultural Journalists

Posted 19 November

Harper Adams Director of Development and Alumni Relations Doris Taylor and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan with William Irvine, President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, Glenn Cuddy Deputy President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, and Brian Donaldson, Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland former President

Historic links between Ãå±±½ûµØ and the island of Ireland will be reaffirmed as the institution looks to its future, its Vice-Chancellor has told Irish journalists. 

Professor Ken Sloan spoke with the Guild of Agricultural Journalists at the offices of the Ulster Farmers' Union during his latest visit to Ireland - emphasising the long-standing links the University has had with Irish students – the first of who took up their studies in 1903, just two years after the institution had opened. 

With a major milestone for Harper Adams set to be marked in 2026 with the University’s 125th anniversary, Professor Sloan outlined the ways in which its courses have adapted to meet new challenges in agri-food education in the UK. 

With pressures to meet Net Zero and Climate goals, he discussed how the University’s School of Sustainable Farming and Sustainable Farm Networks are helping to boost skills across food and farming industries for both the University’s students and professionals in the sector. 

He talked about the ways in which students are being offered innovative, practical education, equipping them with digital competencies to meet the demands of an industry which is embracing data analytics, robotics, the use of technologies such as drones, and much more. 

New developments to meet these changing challenges have included a Collaborative Simulation Lab, which uses multiphysics simulation to meet real-world challenges, and the Centre for Connected and Automated Plant – a joint venture with the Transport Research Laboratory, placing the University at the heart of new advances in the connected and automated construction sector. 

The University has also launched two new departments: Harper Food Innovation, whose work on how food is developed and understood aims to meet the challenges of feeding a growing global population sustainably; and the Harper Adams Business School, which will draw upon the University’s extensive industry links and provide high-calibre graduates for their employment needs as well as provide skills development at each stage of careers. 

Professor Sloan also set out how the University’s first-ever teaching facility off its Edgmond campus - the new Ãå±±½ûµØ Telford digital learning hub – is set to revolutionise its work on  digital business, data science, robotics and mechatronics, and more. 

Speaking after his talk, he said: “There was much to discuss and to update the Guild on, and we had a fruitful day of discussion about new developments both for the University and the higher education sector, both in mainland Britain and in Ireland. 

“I talked about how we have always had proud links with Ireland, which go back more than a century – and about how the Harper Ireland student society, at more than 100 members, is one of the largest and most active we have at the University. 

“We have a long-standing track record of working with Irish companies, a proud record of students securing leading Irish awards, and an ever-growing network of alumni in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

“A team drawing on representatives of each of these strengths has been discussing our work in both Northern Ireland and the Republic, and as we turn our thoughts at the University to the future, I made clear to the Guild that we will be continuing – and deepening – our commitment.  

“I was delighted to invite the Guild to be part of that journey.” 

_{(The Vice-Chancellor's meeting has been covered by Agriland in an )}