DkIT setting new gender balance trends in Agriculture

DKIT setting new gender balance trends on agriculture programme as female students dominate in a traditionally male dominated industry.

Dundalk, Ireland. Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) entrants on the BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture/Agri-Food Production comprises of 60% female, 40% male which is phenomenal representation of females in a traditionally male dominated industry.

Speaking today, Breda Brennan, Head of Department of Agriculture, Food and Animal Health at DkIT said,

“It’s great to see the shift in gender balance that we have experienced over the past 10 years on our Agriculture programme. It indicates that perhaps in the future, women will have an even stronger role to play in the Irish Agriculture sector”.

The BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture/Agri-Food Production is a collaborative programme delivered jointly with Teagasc, Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Cavan and leads to a DkIT award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications. The programme is very practical in nature, providing opportunities for students to develop their animal and crop husbandry skills, laboratory-based skills and a range of student-centred field trips and site visits.

On completion of this course, students also meet the requirements of a qualified farmer for the purposes of all Revenue and Department of Agriculture (DAFM) schemes, traditionally known as a ‘Green Cert’ qualification.

The aim of this four-year Honours Degree course is to produce graduates with knowledge, skills and competencies to respond effectively to current and future developments in Agriculture and the Agri-Food Industry. This is a common entry B.Sc. (Hons) in Agriculture programme, with students specialising in third year to graduate with either a BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture or Agri-Food Production.

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) has also recently received the prestigious award for gender equality which was presented by the international Athena SWAN by AdvanceHE in recognition of its commitment to advancing gender equality in academia, and in promoting diversity and inclusion for staff and students in higher education.

Athena SWAN is Advance HE’s Gender Charter, and acknowledges the actions undertaken by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with relation to gender equality issues. The Athena SWAN Charter was first launched in Ireland in 2015 in a major national initiative supported by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

CONTACT: Siobhan Molloy, Media & Communications Officer, [email protected]

Photo Caption: L to R: Sarah Lyster, Lousie Molloy, Michelle Byrne,  Keava Byrne, Carol Ann Scott, Mirella Patrauceanu,  Dr. Jade Pollck,  Dr. Simone McCabe, Dr. Siobhán Jordan (Programme Director), Dr. Suzanne Linnane, Dr. Norma O’Hea,  Dr. Bridget Kelly,  Dr. Caroline Gilleran, Ms. Caren McAteer, Shannah Tiffoney, Katelyn O’Dwyer, Katie Dobbin, Sarah Jordan, Lorraine Flood.