Harper Adams University Explained

Harper Adams University
Former Name:Harper Adams Agricultural College
Motto:Utile Dulci (Latin)
Mottoeng:Useful and agreeable
Vice Chancellor:Professor Ken Sloan
Students:
Undergrad:
Postgrad:
Other:60 FE[1]
Country:United Kingdom
Postcode:TF10 8NB
Coordinates:52.7797°N -2.4275°W

Harper Adams University, founded in 1901 as Harper Adams College, is a public university located close to the village of Edgmond, near Newport, in Shropshire, England. Established in 1901, the college is a specialist provider of higher education for the agricultural and rural sector. It gained university college status in 1998, and university status in 2012.[2]

The university provides more than 50 foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes to students from over 30 countries. The university is set within a 550 hectare (1360 acre) working farm.[3]

History

Harper Adams College, which would become the university, was founded in 1901. Its first Principal was Headworth Foulkes (1901–1922). Thomas Harper Adams, a wealthy Shropshire gentleman farmer, died in 1892, bequeathing the estate which was the original foundation. The college had just six students to begin with.

In 1909 a specialist poultry husbandry was created.[4]

During the First World War, Harper Adams remained open, and in 1915 the first women were admitted into the college on wartime farm courses. Harper Adams was the first institute to do so, and in 1916 women were admitted as full-time students onto a wide variety of courses. Approximately, 200 staff and former students served during the war and 40 are known to have died as a result.[5] In 2015, 10 additional names were added to the university's memorial board, after previously unrecorded alumni were also discovered to have been killed in action.[6] A board in the Old Library listing the names of those killed was dedicated in March 2015, crafted by Peter Nunn of the university's estate department, whilst a new memorial garden was also created outside the library.

The agricultural depression of the 1920s onward led to a drop in student numbers. In 1922, Charles Crowther (1922–1944) became Principal and efforts were taken to ensure the College stayed open. The National Institute of Poultry Husbandry opened in 1926, bringing with it to Harper a high profile in areas of teaching and research. The college managed to stay open during the Second World War, and in 1939 the first girls arrived at the college. Bill Price (1946–1962) become Principal in 1946 and student numbers steadily rose to 222. The Jubilee Hostel was opened in 1951.[7]

Reginald Kenny became principal in 1962 until 1977. In 1964, the funding of the college was passed from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Department of Education and Science. The first Higher National Diploma students were enrolled in 1969. Tony Harris was later appointed principal in 1977 until 1994. Degree courses were first introduced at Harper Adams in 1981. The university was one of the first institutions to introduce a BSc. sandwich course. The CNAA granted Harper Adams the authority to validate its own courses. In 1985, the science building was opened by Princess Margaret.[7]

Student numbers passed 1000 for the first time in 1991. In 1994, three new student residences were opened. Wynn Jones became principal in 1996, and later that year the Privy Council granted the university degree awarding powers. In 1998, Harper Adams gained the title of University College. In 2004, Harper Adams was awarded £2.1 million in funding to develop its work with rural businesses. Harper Adams gained the power to award research degrees in 2006 and shortly after, a new Biomass Hall was opened. Dr David Llewellyn was appointed principal in 2009.[8] In the September, a new £2.3 million dairy unit was opened[9] and in December, a £3million award-winning Regional Food Academy (RFA) was officially opened by The Princess Royal.[10] In 2010, Nick Herbert opened a Postgraduate and Professional Development Centre, and in the same year the Faccenda student centre and a new student hall of residence were opened. An anaerobic digester opened in 2011, expects to offset the carbon emissions of the university three times over annually. It won a Renewable Energy Infrastructure Award and hosts an award-winning anaerobic digestion facility.[11] Ken Sloan was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University in 2021, its eighth institutional leader.

Harper Adams is an academic sponsor of the JCB Academy which opened in 2010. JCB Academy was the first university technical college to be established in England.[12]

In 2012, Harper Adams had the title 'university' conferred upon it. This ended the institution's long history of being a college and consequently, Harper Adams became Shropshire's first university.[13]

In 2020, the University received its first student intake to Harper and Keele Veterinary School, a new joint venture with Keele University offering a BVetMS degree.[14]

Campus

The campus is on farm land on the outskirts of Edgmond near Newport, Shropshire. Over the last decade more than £45 million has been invested in the campus. Harper Adams operates a 635 hectare (1569 acres) commercial farm on campus. Undergraduate students live on campus in one of 15 halls.[15]

Organisation

Academic departments

Undergraduate courses are offered via 5 academic departments and courses fall under 10 broad subject areas

Academics

Research

In 2014 Harper Adams University has been recognised for the quality of its research by the Research Excellence Framework.[16]

Areas of research include; management of soil and water, crop disease resistance, agricultural technology, livestock carbon footprint reduction, genetic approaches to improving food quality, bioenergy and renewable sources, agricultural landscape biodiversity, pedagogy and animal welfare.[17]

Research facilities

Facilities for the university's research work include:

Hands Free Hectare

Since 2016 the "Hands Free Hectare" project within the engineering department has been developing robotic farming operations.[18]

Ranking and awards

Awards

Rankings

Qs W:1201–1400
Complete:32
Times/Sunday Times:36
Line 2:0

Sunday Times

Times Higher Education

Employment

The 2020 Graduate Outcomes survey showed 98.8% were in work or further study 15 months after completing their studies.[24]

Sports

Harper Adams has a variety of sports clubs, including rugby, shooting, football, hockey, fencing, netball, polo, tug of war, basketball, motorsport, off-roading, rowing, running, field sports, equestrian and mountain biking. The university competes in the British Universities and Colleges Sport leagues and championships.[25]

Rowing

Harper Adams University Boat Club (HAURC) is located at Pengwern Boat Club on the River Severn in Shrewsbury.[26] Members compete in the BUCS Rowing League, local regattas. The club's registered blades are dark blue, cyan and gold.[27]

Shooting

Harper Adams University Clay Shooting Club (HAUSC) is the largest club in the university with over 100 members.[28] The club competes in local competitions, BUCS League, the Countryside Alliance Cirencester Cup Competition and also holds private matches against the Royal Agricultural University and St Andrews University. The HAUSC is consistently placed amongst the most successful shooting clubs in the UK. In 2011 and 2012, the HAUSC won the national title at the BUCS Clay Pigeon Shooting Championships.[29]

Motorsport

The Motorsport Team has its own VW Golf GTi rally car and Ford Fiesta R2 National.[30] [31] In January 2017, the team announced a partnership with the M-Sport World Rally Team. The team regularly competes in BRC events.

Coat of arms and flag

The arms of the university are those of the Harper Adams family, which were formally transferred to the university by letters patent presented in May 2018 Rouge Croix Pursuivant, of the College of Arms in May 2018.[32] As a banner of arms these are in use as the university flag.

The arms appear in stained glass in the main building.[33]

Governance

Chancellor

The Chancellor has been HRH The Princess Royal, from its opening in 2013 until the present. This is a ceremonial role.

List of College Principals and University Vice-Chancellors

Notable people

Notable alumni

Notable governors

Honorary degree and fellowship holders

Notable staff

In popular culture

Ruth Archer, a fictional character played by English actress Felicity Finch from the BBC Radio 4 soap opera The Archers, attended Harper Adams University College as part of her fictional backstory.[58]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Table 0a – All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2006/07. 5 April 2008. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Higher Education Statistics Agency. 20 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160820022202/https://www.hesa.ac.uk/dox/dataTables/studentsAndQualifiers/download/institution0607.xls. live.
  2. Web site: University: What's in a Title? GuildHE . guildhe.ac.uk . 15 February 2016 . 11 May 2021.
  3. Web site: Harper Adams University. 16 July 2014. Independent.co.uk. 27 December 2017. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122215/http://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-uni-colleges/harper-adams-university-458943.html. live.
  4. Web site: About – History | Harper Adams University . Harper-adams.ac.uk . 2016-09-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160426194652/http://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/about/history.cfm . 26 April 2016 . dead.
  5. Book: Francis, Peter. Shropshire War Memorials, Sites of Remembrance. 2013. YouCaxton Publications. 68–69. 978-1-909644-11-3.
  6. Web site: Dedication of new memorial to alumni who fell in First World War. 9 May 2021. 22 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122063655/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/202514/dedication-of-new-memorial-to-alumni-who-fell-in-first-world-war. live.
  7. Web site: Why Harper? – Harper Adams University. www.harper-adams.ac.uk. 9 May 2021. 17 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210417233828/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/why-harper/history.cfm. live.
  8. Web site: Appointment of new Principal at Harper Adams – Farming UK News. www.farminguk.com. 9 May 2021. 28 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328005129/https://www.farminguk.com/News/Appointment-of-new-Principal-at-Harper-Adams_11652.html. live.
  9. Web site: DairyCo chairman opens Harper Adams' new £2.3m dairy unit . dairy.ahdb.org.uk . 22 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150919113420/http://dairy.ahdb.org.uk/news/news-archive/2009/dairyco-chairman-opens-harper-adams%E2%80%99-new-%C2%A323m-dairy-unit/#.WkWDVracafQ . 19 September 2015 . dead.
  10. Web site: Midlands food academy opens. 9 May 2021. 28 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328005616/https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/midlands-food-academy-opens/. live.
  11. http://www.clarke-energy.com/2012/harper-adams-college-anaerobic-digester-chp-plant/ Harper Adams College Digester CHP Plant
  12. Web site: Harper Adams Challenge – overview – JCB Academy. 20 March 2017. 9 May 2021. 28 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190128093929/http://jcbacademy.com/harper-adams-challenge-overview/. live.
  13. News: 'New' universities set to be created in England – BBC News . BBC News . 27 November 2012 . 2016-09-15 . 17 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141017020314/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-20464013 . live .
  14. Web site: Harper and Keele Veterinary School. 27 April 2023.
  15. Web site: Accommodation – Our Halls – Harper Adams University. Harper-adams.ac.uk. 27 December 2017. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122706/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/university-life/accommodation/halls.cfm. live.
  16. Web site: International quality rating for Harper Adams University research. 27 December 2017. Harper-adams.ac.uk. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122733/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/202438/international-quality-rating-for-harper-adams-university-research. live.
  17. Web site: Research – Our Impact – Harper Adams University. 27 December 2017. Harper-adams.ac.uk. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122754/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/research/our-impact.cfm. live.
  18. Web site: Hands Free Hectare broadens out to 35-hectare farm. 2020-07-14. Harper Adams University. en. 17 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210117183632/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/203368/hands-free-hectare-broadens-out-to-35hectare-farm. live.
  19. Web site: Best Universities 2016 UK University Rankings by Whatuni . 2023-04-21 . www.whatuni.com.
  20. Web site: 11th Round Prize-winners Presentations at Buckingham Palace 25 February 2016. 27 December 2017. Royalanniversarytrust.org.uk. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227121801/http://www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk/news/11th-round-prize-winners-presentations-at-buckingham-palace-25-february-2016. live.
  21. Web site: Modern University of the Year: Harper Adams rewrites history as it climbs into the Times top 20 UK universities. 2020-07-14. Harper Adams University. en. 29 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210429170020/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/203416/modern-university-of-the-year-harper-adams-rewrites-history-as-it-climbs-into-the-times-top-20-uk-universities. live.
  22. Web site: Harper Adams breaks into the UK's Top 50. 27 December 2017. Harper-adams.ac.uk. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122550/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/201457/harper-adams-breaks-into-the-uks-top-50. live.
  23. Web site: Harper Adams takes top modern university accolade in Times guide. 27 December 2017. Harper-adams.ac.uk. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122751/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/202904/harper-adams-takes-top-modern-university-accolade-in-times-guide. live.
  24. Web site: Harper Adams graduates achieve one of the highest employment rates in the UK. 2020-07-14. Harper Adams University. en. 31 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201031071942/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/203512/harper-adams-graduates-achieve-one-of-the-highest-employment-rates-in-the-uk. live.
  25. Web site: Sport. https://web.archive.org/web/20110720231409/http://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/sport/. dead. 20 July 2011. Harper Adams University. 26 November 2016.
  26. Web site: New home for Harper Adams Rowing Club. Harper-adams.ac.uk. 27 December 2017. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122923/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/202506/new-home-for-harper-adams-rowing-club. live.
  27. Web site: Harper Adams University Rowing Club – British Rowing. Britishrowing.org. 27 December 2017. 21 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170821003928/https://www.britishrowing.org/club/harper-adams-university-rowing-club/. live.
  28. Web site: Clay shooting team continues to triumph. Harper-adams.ac.uk. 27 December 2017. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122404/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/201907/clay-shooting-team-continues-to-triumph. live.
  29. Web site: Harper Adams remain BUCS National Shooting Champions. Harper-adams.ac.uk. 27 December 2017. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227180351/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/201592/harper-adams-remain-bucs-national-shooting-champions. live.
  30. Web site: Motorsport. Harpersu.com. 27 December 2017. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122501/https://www.harpersu.com/organisation/6468/. live.
  31. Web site: Harper Adams becomes first university to join British Rally Championship. Harper-adams.ac.uk. 27 December 2017. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227180311/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/202971/harper-adams-becomes-first-university-to-join-british-rally-championship. live.
  32. Web site: Chancellor, HRH The Princess Royal, gives thanks at university celebration. 2020-07-13. Harper Adams University. en. 20 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210120111039/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/203248/chancellor-hrh-the-princess-royal-gives-thanks-at-university-celebration. live.
  33. Web site: Our University - Main Building Harper Adams University. 2020-07-13. www.harper-adams.ac.uk. 13 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200713200652/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/university-life/our-university/310/main-building/. live.
  34. Web site: 21 May 2015. Scott Bemand appointed England women's rugby coach. 27 December 2017. Bbc.co.uk. 27 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181027232554/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/32831684. live.
  35. Web site: Christopher Borrett. 27 December 2017. Cricinfo. 17 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171217014811/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/10325.html. live.
  36. Web site: 31 January 2011. Helen Browning: A woman who won't be cowed in the war against titan. 27 December 2017. Independent.co.uk. 6 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180906014056/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/helen-browning-a-woman-who-wont-be-cowed-in-the-war-against-titan-farms-2199014.html. live.
  37. Web site: Whannel . Kate . 21 July 2023 . Somerton win means there are 10 Lib Dem women MPs in Commons . 21 July 2023 . BBC News . BBC.
  38. Web site: 15 April 2008. Jobs to go at chicken factory. 27 December 2017. News.bbc.co.uk. 20 April 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080420062651/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7349312.stm. live.
  39. Web site: Conservative Holyrood candidate Rachael Hamilton denies fox hunting link. 27 December 2017. Sundaypost.com. 14 May 2017 . 18 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171018082200/https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/candidate-denies-fox-hunting-link/. live.
  40. Web site: Angmering History – Jorian Jenks – Angmering's Blackshirt farmer. Angmeringvillage.co.uk. 27 December 2017. 15 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171215135226/http://www.angmeringvillage.co.uk/history/Articles/Jenks.htm. live.
  41. Paget-Wilkes, Ven. Michael Jocelyn James, (born 11 Dec. 1941), Archdeacon of Warwick, 1990–2009 – WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U29890. 27 December 2017. 978-0-19-954088-4 . 2 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180102013520/http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-29890. live.
  42. Web site: Boyd Rankin. 27 December 2017. Cricinfo. 9 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210509135924/https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/boyd-rankin-24599. live.
  43. Web site: Clan Strachan Society Member Subweb. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923204523/http://www.clanstrachan.org/vote/rob.htm. 23 September 2015. 27 December 2017. Clanstrachan.org.
  44. Web site: » Outside Politics : Julian Sturdy – Strong Voice for York Outer. 27 December 2017. Juliansturdy.co.uk. 17 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171217015829/http://www.juliansturdy.co.uk/useful-information/outside-politics/. live.
  45. 65438. Woodhouse [née Blackburn], Barbara Kathleen Vera (1910–1988).
  46. Web site: CalmView: Overview. Archives.lse.ac.uk. 27 December 2017.
  47. Web site: The Duke of Buccleuch and Adam Henson to receive honorary degrees at Harper Adams graduation. 9 May 2021. 27 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210127190016/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/203145/the-duke-of-buccleuch-and-adam-henson-to-receive-honorary-degrees-at-harper-adams-graduation. live.
  48. Web site: Graduation 2015. 9 May 2021. 26 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126153936/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/202664/graduation-2015. live.
  49. Web site: Five Honorary Degrees and Fellowships awarded at Graduation. 9 May 2021. 21 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121164503/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/201159/five-honorary-degrees-and-fellowships-awarded-at-graduation. live.
  50. Web site: Honorary degrees and fellowships announced. 9 May 2021. 27 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210127124554/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/201733/honorary-degrees-and-fellowships-announced. live.
  51. Web site: Honorary degrees and fellowship announced. 9 May 2021. 23 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210123101613/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/201992/honorary-degrees-and-fellowship-announced. live.
  52. Web site: Key figures awarded Honorary Degrees and Fellowship (video). 9 May 2021. 6 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210506001307/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/202008/key-figures-awarded-honorary-degrees-and-fellowship-video. live.
  53. Web site: Honorary degrees and fellowships 2011. 9 May 2021. 22 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122090727/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/201469/honorary-degrees-and-fellowships-2011. live.
  54. Web site: HRH The Princess Royal to be first Chancellor of Harper Adams University. 9 May 2021. 26 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201126005439/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/news/201893/hrh-the-princess-royal-to-be-first-chancellor-of-harper-adams-university. live.
  55. Web site: Archived copy . 27 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051055/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1954/1954%20-%201463.html . 22 December 2017 . dead.
  56. Web site: Staff Directory – Dr David Llewellyn – Harper Adams University. Harper-adams.ac.uk. 27 December 2017. 22 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222050849/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/general/staff/profile.cfm?id=194. live.
  57. Web site: Staff Directory – Professor Simon Leather – Harper Adams University. Harper-adams.ac.uk. 27 December 2017. 22 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222050816/https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/general/staff/profile.cfm?id=201220. live.
  58. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4kXRN1cs079yQfb279rzr8P/david-and-ruth-archer-actors-timothy-bentinck-and-felicity-finch-go-head-to-head BBC iPlayer Radio, BBC Radio 4, David and Ruth Archer go head-to-head

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