Thirty-six food course students from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise have graduated after completing studies at Loughry Campus in Cookstown.
The students were joined by family and friends at CAFRE’s annual Graduation Ceremony, held at Greenmount Campus in Antrim. The college said the event marked their academic achievements in higher education.
This year’s graduates completed Ulster University-validated degree programmes in Food Technology, Food Innovation and Nutrition, Food Business Management and Food Manufacture. CAFRE said the courses provide knowledge, practical skills and industry experience required by employers.
Four students achieved First Class Honours degrees in Food Business Management and Food Innovation and Nutrition. They were Jessica Cuthbertson from Sixmilecross, Rosalind Currie from Kilwaughter, Katie Givan from Dungannon and Rebecca Kirkland from Dungannon.
CAFRE also recognised 14 Higher Level Apprenticeship students who completed Foundation Degree qualifications while combining study with employment in Northern Ireland food companies. The college said practical learning is a defining feature of the Loughry Campus student experience, including specialist processing facilities, work with industry partners, projects and placements.
The college said Northern Ireland’s food and drink industry generates about £7.3 billion in economic value, supports almost 109,000 jobs and accounts for more than one-third of manufacturing sales in Northern Ireland. It said many graduates have already secured roles in areas including manufacturing, product development, quality assurance, sales and marketing, and supply chain management.