The School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development is raising funds to create two new PhD studentships, to give graduates who wish to pursue a career in research the first foot on the ladder.
The School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development is enjoying considerable success in terms of its teaching and research activities, with approximately £2 million of research funding per annum. But finding suitable, well qualified people to carry out the work is increasingly difficult. Therefore postgraduate research students are very important – they are the members of staff of the future.
Postgraduate students from overseas are often funded by their own governments and return to academic posts in their country of origin. UK or EU based students were in the past funded by studentships from various sources including the government, charities and in some cases, commercial organisations. For many years now, the funding available to 'home' students has been decreasing.
Students whose ambition is to carry out groundbreaking research in the important areas of agriculture, food and nutrition, and rural development are unable to get their careers off the ground due to lack of money.
Newcastle has continued the proud tradition of producing graduates who go on to successful careers in agriculture and related industries. Our graduates are our finest advertisement. Almost without exception, alumni remember their time at Newcastle with affection and have a strong affinity for the University and School.
We are now calling on our alumni, friends and supporters to help us translate that goodwill into money that will underpin the successful development of the School long into the future, through supporting PhD students at the beginning of their careers.
Our aim is to raise enough money to support two postgraduate studentships. The studentships will pay the fees and support the living costs of the students during a three year period of study leading to the award of a PhD.
These costs approximate to £20,000 per year for three years for each student. Our overall fundraising target is therefore £120,000. Your donation to this fund will directly support a PhD student in the School of Agriculture Food and Rural Development. Please give now.