Students from across science courses at WIT were recognised for their outstanding projects throughout the year at the Science Industry Awards
The Dairymaster Student Award, which recognises the achievements of BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science degree students with the best final year project presentations was announced as part of the Department of Science at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) Industry Sponsored Awards Ceremony, held via Zoom for 2020.
These awards were sponsored by Source Bioscience, Environmental Science Association of Ireland, Sanofi, Bausch & Lomb, Sofrimar, Dawn Meats, Comeragh Veterinary practice, Dairymaster, AIB and for the first time Trivium Vet.
World beyond college
The 2020 winners of the Dairymaster student award were Roisin O'Donnell and Nicole Keohane McCarthy. The award helps students realise the relevance of their final year projects to a world beyond college. The bursary is very welcome in helping our students make the transition to the workplace following their studies. It also gives them an opportunity to excel and showcase their research to industry.
The awards were presented by Mary Mulvihill, Marketing and Communications Manager with Dairymaster toL
- Nicole Keohane McCarthy, a past pupil of Kinsale Community School
- Roisin O'Donnell a past pupil of Cashel Community School, Co. Tipperary
Nicole Keohane McCarthy
Nicole explains why she was nominated for the Dairymaster award:
“Growing up on a dairy farm I’ve always had a fierce interest in all things related to cow health and milk quality. My final year project focused on an alternative, non-antibiotic mastitis treatment and its possible effectiveness as a dry cow therapy. My project was nominated due its relevance to the ever increasing worry existing around antibiotic use on dairy farms.”
The 4th year agricultural science student added: “I am extremely grateful to have received this award, as it is a great affirmation as to the relevance and importance of this topic within the Irish dairy industry. This project has highlighted the issues which exist surrounding preventative antibiotic use, but most important the solutions which also exist.”
“I would like to thank Dairymaster for their continued support of our agricultural students, and the interest they have taken in what we have to offer the industry as a whole.”
Nicole dreams for the future include: “I’m a great believer in Irish agriculture, and the sustainable image we have built for ourselves worldwide. My future plans are to become immersed within this industry, and to hopefully be involved in offering key solutions to some of the toughest challenges facing our farming communities both today and in the coming years”.
Roisin O'Donnell
Roisin explains why she was nominated for the award:
"I was nominated for the award by my college lecturers. Dairymaster evaluated each nominated project from which they chose the two winners. I was nominated for the Dairymaster Student Award 2020 for my final year thesis and presentation. I looked at "The effect on dairy cow grazing preference on pastures and pasture chemical content which received varying nitrogen formulations and application rates" which was supervised by Mike Walsh. I am privileged to receive this award from Dairymaster as within our year group I know the standard of thesis work was extremely high. It is nice to get the recognition for the time,effort and dedication that was required for the thesis and presentation."
Roisin, who is a WIT President's Scholarship recipient adds: "My time in WIT over the last four years has given me the knowledge and skills that are required to work in the agricultural industry. The future of this industry will be challenging across all sectors but I feel confident that with the use of research, innovation and dedicated people working together these challenges can be overcome. My dream for the future is to have a successful career within the dairy sector and to continue learning in an ever changing industry."
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
