£50k gift for Ayr students

_{Rural Business Management students Charlotte Bailey and David Anderson welcome the £50k donation}

Students at Scotland’s Rural College are set to benefit from a £50k donation towards training, study tours and travel.

The donation from Auchincruive College (Former Students) Association will be used to fund additional activities for students at SRUC’s Ayr campus until August 2022.

This could include funding for professional training courses not currently provided by SRUC, in everything from agriculture and business management, to countryside management, engineering and animal science. It could also be used to fund study tours and travel.

Sheena Stewart, Chairperson of Auchincruive College (Former Students) Association, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this financial support to students studying at SRUC’s Ayr campus.

“We hope it will enhance the educational experience they are getting at SRUC by providing opportunities to gain extra qualifications relating to their courses.”

The association, which ceased in December 2019, had been in existence since 1918 when it was formed by staff at the West of Scotland Agricultural College ­– now part of SRUC ­– at the Auchincruive Estate.

Dean of the South and West faculty Professor Nick Sparks said: “We are very grateful to the association for this generous gift which will make a significant difference to the students in Ayrshire.

"The money will enable students to participate in extra-curricular activities which will give them relevant work experience and improve their employability.”

Fourth-year Rural Business Management students Charlotte Bailey, 36, and David Anderson, 34, also welcomed the donation.

Charlotte said: “It will provide fantastic opportunities that students would otherwise miss out on, such as more in-depth, tourism-related study trips.”

Posted by SRUC on 22/01/2020