Post by University College Dublin

🚜🎂 Happy 100th Birthday to UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science! 📘 To mark this major milestone in the school's history, a new book has been published, chronicling the remarkable influence it has had over the past 100 years on agricultural education, research and innovation. 'A History of Agriculture at UCD' is part of the centenary celebrations at the UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science, and documents the School’s growth from its origins in the early 20th century to its position today as one of the world’s leading centres for agricultural and food science education and research. 🗣️ UCD President Professor Orla Feely: “This centenary provides an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary contribution that agricultural education and research at UCD have made to Ireland over the past century." “Through the dedication of our staff, students and alumni, UCD has played a central role in advancing agricultural knowledge, supporting rural communities and driving innovation across the agri-food sector.” Speaking at the official launch event in O’Reilly Hall, President Feely told those in attendance that the book had captured UCD’s remarkable contributions to agriculture and food science over the past century, a story that would now be “preserved for future generations”. Today, the UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science educates approximately 3,000 students across 17 undergraduate and 16 graduate taught programmes, supported by 85 academic staff and almost 200 staff in total. The School’s global reputation is reflected in international rankings, with UCD currently placed 27th in the world for Agricultural Sciences and 15th globally for Food Science and Technology by U.S. News & World Report. 🗣️ Professor Frank Monahan, Dean of Agriculture and Head of the UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science: “The story of agriculture at UCD is ultimately a story about people.” “It is the story of generations of students, academics, researchers, farmers, industry leaders and policymakers who have worked together to improve agricultural productivity, food quality, environmental sustainability and rural livelihoods." “As we celebrate our first century, we also look ahead to the role the School will play in addressing the challenges of the next 100 years.” The launch forms part of a wider programme of events marking 100 years since the establishment of the Faculty of Agriculture at UCD in 1926 and celebrating the contribution of generations of students, researchers, staff and alumni to Ireland’s economic, scientific and rural development.