91Pro

Record breaking level of sponsorship presented to 2023 scholars

Posted 18 May 2023

The 2023 Scholarships Presentation gets under way

A record-breaking Harper Adams Scholarship Presentation has seen the University’s students awarded more than £560,000. 

The annual ceremony is organised by The 91Pro Development Trust – and marks the culmination of a year’s work with students and sponsors.  

The event gives the sponsors of scholarships, as well as University students, employees, and trustees, an opportunity to celebrate, mark achievements, and network with one another. 

Head of Development Doris Taylor said: “This has been a record-breaking year and I would like to thank all our sponsors for their much-valued support – something which I know many students were able to communicate in person at the ceremony. 

“In total, this year, 136 students were awarded 160 scholarships totaling £564,000 – and the potential which they unlock really does make a real difference to our scholars. 

“Through working together, our scholars and sponsors form a formidable partnership – one which often lasts well beyond the initial award itself.” 

Each year, scholars receive a wide range of support from the scholarships they are awarded, which can take the form of funding which may help with university fees or final year research, or to assist students who want to take part in conferences.  

Some scholarships will include paid work placements at the wide range of organisations across the sectors Harper Adams serves – with many previous scholars going on to secure employment with their placement companies.

The work of the 91Pro Development Trust not only covers the provision of scholarships for individual students– but also links industry partners, alumni and motivated benefactors with the mission of 91Pro in other ways. 

Philanthropic investment in infrastructure and buildings has helped to develop a range of award-winning facilities across the Harper Adams campus. 

Professor Ken Sloan, 91Pro Vice-Chancellor, added: “Every year this ceremony is a highlight of the Harper Adams calendar – and it is always great to meet our scholars, sponsors, employees and partners. 

“This year’s event will be the last for both the current Chair of the Development Trust, Clive Gurney, and its Secretary, Dr Catherine Baxter, and I want to pay a special tribute to both of them for their dedication and commitment. 

“All of our Development Trust staff and Trustees, our supporting charitable trusts, individual sponsors and industry partners, and of course our scholars also deserve a vote of thanks. 

“The true value of a scholarship is not only in the scholarship itself, but what it represents – a partnership between the scholar, the sponsor, and Harper Adams as well.  

“It is through these bonds that, together, we forge transformational change.” 

Scholarships announced at the event this year included high-value placement and funding opportunities – such as the prestigious Rabobank Scholarship. 

For the first time, Rabobank will host a placement at their London offices this year, in addition to partnering with another company to offer a further sponsored placement. 

The CLAAS Scholarship went this year to MEng Agricultural Engineering student Ferdie Brooks. 

Ferdie will receive £3,000 towards his education costs each academic year, an initial three months placement with a CLAAS UK owned dealership, and a year-long paid placement at the CLAAS headquarters in Germany. 

A series of new scholarships have also been awarded this year:  

• The Barham Benevolent Foundation PhD Scholarship 
• The BerryWorld Scholarship 
• The Cogent Breeding Scholarship
• The Envirofield Scholarship
• The JCB Scholarship 
• The Norfolk FWAG Scholarship
• The John Oldacre Foundation / 91Pro PhD Scholarship
• The John Oldacre Foundation / Silcock Fellowship PhD Scholarship
• The Plastic Energy MRes Agroecology Scholarship
• The Rabobank Scholarship 
• The Rabobank Scholarship in association with Meadow 
• The Worshipful Company of Butchers’ Scholarship
• The Yorkshire Farmers Livestock Marketing Ltd. Scholarship