Record number of students this year
Issued 25thSeptember 2001
A record number of students have enrolled this year for courses in Kildalton College in Co. Kilkenny.
The college, which re-opened on Tuesday, 25th September, has a total of 270 students enrolled in courses in agriculture, horticulture, agri-business, machinery and horse breeding and training. This is an increase of over one-third on the number of students last year.
College Principal, Michael Conlon, said that the increased demand for courses is an indication of the impact of the upgrading of Teagasc courses. All Teagasc courses are now nationally accredited, bringing agricultural and horticultural training into the mainstream education system for the first time.
"Four courses offered by Kildalton this year, in agriculture, horticulture, agri-business and machinery, are delivered in partnership with Waterford Institute of Technology. Students who complete these courses will have the option to progress to university degree level", he said.
Michael Conlon said that the college's 270 students will benefit from a vibrant college campus. They have the option to avail of accommodation on-campus or in towns and villages surrounding Kildalton College.
"Students in Kildalton and other Teagasc colleges benefit from the most modern teaching methods. The emphasis is on open learning and all courses are structured in modules where students have the option to specialise. The teaching is supported by newly developed Teagasc text books which are now being used by a large number of training agencies worldwide", he said.
In addition to its teaching function Kildalton also has a major development role, with more than 2,000 commercial farmers participating in short courses each year.
"Despite the much publicised doom and gloom, we are confident that graduates of Kildalton and other colleges will prosper in farming and in other agri-related employment and will maintain a quality of life as good as or better than most", said Michael Conlon.
