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Thirty-four-year-old, Debbie Dawkins has made the transition from college to university with ease. After successfully completing her HND in Business at West College Scotland, Debbie was accepted on to year three at SRUC to study a degree in Rural Business Management. Having been awarded her college graduation class prize, Debbie has continued to excel, going on to scoop the prestigious 2021 Farmplanner Award.

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Debbie said, “I was selected to be part of a cross campus team of five for the Farm Planner competition which is ran by the Institute of Agricultural Management. It’s open to all college and universities from across the UK and this year addressed how to improve business and take advantage of extra land.

‘SRUC haven’t put a team forward for the competition since 1996 so it was a really big deal for the university and honour for me to part of. The concept allowed us to show our passion for conservation and environment protection through unique and innovation entrepreneurial management and marketing strategies.”

Speaking to Debbie about her transition from college to university she said, “I really enjoyed my time at College and making the transition was much easier than I anticipated. Everyone tells you it’s a huge leap, but I didn’t find it too different.

College really prepared me, and I can’t tell you how often I refer back to my college work.

‘It was my college graded unit project on a fish farm and how it was using sustainable practices to fight against global warming that inspired me to want to learn more about food insecurity and what ultimately brought me to study Rural Management Business.

‘My plan is to get my honours degree then hopefully one day own my own diversified farm with a restaurant and accommodation.”

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