STUDENTS AT Scotland’s Rural College are to benefit from a £50k donation towards training, study tours and travel.

The donation from the Auchincruive College (Former Students) Association will be used to fund additional activities for students at SRUC’s Ayr campus until August 2022.

This could include funding for professional training courses not currently provided by SRUC, in everything from agriculture and business management, to countryside management, engineering and animal science. It could also be used to fund study tours and travel.

Chairperson of the AC(FS)A, Sheena Stewart, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this financial support to students studying at SRUC’s Ayr campus.

“We hope it will enhance the educational experience they are getting at SRUC by providing opportunities to gain extra qualifications relating to their courses.”

The association, which ceased in December 2019, had been in existence since 1918 when it was formed by staff at the West of Scotland Agricultural College – now part of SRUC – at the Auchincruive Estate.

Dean of the South and West faculty, Professor Nick Sparks, said: “We are very grateful to the association for this generous gift which will make a significant difference to the students in Ayrshire.

"The money will enable students to participate in extra-curricular activities which will give them relevant work experience and improve their employability.”

Fourth-year Rural Business Management students Charlotte Bailey welcomed the donation: “It will provide fantastic opportunities that students would otherwise miss out on, such as more in-depth, tourism-related study trips.”