The course was officially launched at the 2017 Agri Careers Fair in the RDS on Thursday.

The three-year, level 7 element of the degree is based in the Mountbellew Agricultural College as well as GMIT’s Galway campus. The four-year, level 8 honours degree is also split between Mountbellew and GMIT in Galway.

As part of the course, students will develop expertise in design, manufacturing and agricultural science. Subjects include computer-aided design, agricultural technology, engineering science, manufacturing engineering, soil science, machine design and power hydraulics. The course will be, on average, 24 hours per week split between the two campuses.

Strong demand

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal at Agri Careers, course lecturer PJ McAllen said the course has been established on the back of strong demand.

“We surveyed 30 or 40 companies and what they told us is that the demand for this type of course is there.

“Before we had this course, we were providing students with a mechanical engineering degree which is very good but is also very broad. Students were coming out of that course and going to work in agriculture as well as biomechanics so it was quite broad,” McAllen said.

Solid background

The companies we have spoken to, the likes of McHale and Major and others in the Galway, Clare and Roscommon areas told us that they are looking for a graduate with a good, solid background in engineering, as well as the practical knowledge of farming. We know that this course can deliver that,” he added.

Initially, the course will be open to 20 students with plans to expand it further. Students interested in the course can visit www.gmit.ie for further details.

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Watch all the action at Agri Careers 2017