Virtual send-off for class of 2021

With in-person graduation ceremonies cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, online celebrations via Zoom were organised for each faculty. These celebrated the achievements of HN, degree and postgraduate degree students at the North, Central and South and West faculties, and were followed by individual class get-togethers on Teams or in person.

In a message to the graduates, principal and chief executive of SRUC, Wayne Powell, said: “While the last year-and-a-half has been incredibly challenging for us all, I have no doubt that SRUC as an organisation, and you as people, will come out the other side stronger, more determined and more resilient.

“Life has already thrown so much at you, and it will throw so much more but, if the pandemic has given us anything, it’s a greater appreciation of the world’s fragility and a greater drive to help tackle global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity and food security.

“Your new qualification is a ticket to go out there and make a real difference. I encourage you to use your passion and your new skills to make an impact. As Scotland and the world recovers from the pandemic, people like you will be needed to drive change.”

Among the graduates was mum-of-two, Sarah Jane Thomson, who achieved a 2:1 BSc (Hons) degree in Countryside Management from the Riverside campus, in Ayr – despite having to home-school her son during the lockdown.

Lockdown proved no hindrance to moving into further education for Sarah Jane Thomson

The 31-year-old from Largs, who was also awarded the SRUC Trust Prize for the best fourth year student in Countryside Management, said: “Covid-19 has been a challenge due to working from home - especially early on when home schooling was in place. I set my son tasks and he was able to work alongside me as I did my own assessments, while the youngest was kept occupied by their dad as he was on furlough.

“When lockdown eased, having the support of others such as family and my childminder – who was funded by SRUC – allowed me the time and peace that I would normally have at the campus to achieve my degree.”

For Joanna Burgmans, the coronavirus pandemic offered the perfect opportunity for her to change career. The 27-year-old from Haddington, East Lothian, applied to study for an HNC in Equine Studies, at the Oatridge campus, after being put on furlough from her job as a car sales executive.

Joanna Burgmans took a change of direction and found herself a career in equine management

“Over lockdown, I got to be around horses nearly every day due to being on furlough, which is when I decided I wanted to follow my passion and take the first steps into a career with horses,” she said. A year later, she has graduated with a pass with distinction, been awarded the SRUC prize for best first year student in Equine Studies and is now working as a groom/work rider at Hansbury Stud, in Cousland, Midlothian.

Having started out studying veterinary medicine, Ian Armstrong decided to return to his rural roots and chose a course that would improve his farm business management skills. Four years later, the 22-year-old from Kintore, Inverurie, had worked his way up from an HNC to graduate with a first-class Honours degree in Rural Business Management from the Aberdeen campus.

Ian Armstrong worked his way up to a first class Honours Degree in Rural Business Management

He was also awarded the William J Ferguson Quaich for best fourth year RBM student and is joint winner of the SAAVA/CAAV Valuation Prize for Best Valuation Project.

Ian, who is joining local estate agency firm, Galbraith, in Aberdeen, as a graduate rural surveyor, said: “I valued the teaching support the most during my time at SRUC. There is a diverse, enthusiastic and approachable team of staff to assist students. The small class sizes and open-door policy allowed for a high level of individual attention for students.”

For more information about studying at SRUC, visit: www.sruc.ac.uk/courses

Read more - Congratulations to all who graduated!