SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION

Publication Date: Tuesday, September 5, 2006

The Landscape Centre continues to support higher education in horticulture, and this year in conjunction with our ongoing support of the Foundation Degree at Greenmount we have joined up with North Down Academic Institute to support their HNC Garden Design course. 

Staff members have attended classes and offered their expertise and guidance to the students and we have also been pleased to sponsor the Student of the Year Award.  The award is given in recognition of an outstanding contribution to both the Course and personal advancement in the field of Landscape Design.  Although this year's standard was high, the eventual recipient of the Award for 2007 has been Barbara Kelso, whose interest, imagination and determination has been an inspiration to us all. 

The Course is a HNC in Garden Design, and has been the first of its kind in Ireland North and South.  Its aim is to encourage and develop interest in Garden and Landscape Design as a subject through a varied and interesting programme.  The Course runs Part time at NDAI Newtownards Campus for three years and was set up by Senior Horticultural Lecturer Rhoda Robb.  It aims to widen students’ appreciation of the developed landscape through a series of lectures, visits and mentored projects.  Whilst the First Year concentrates upon Plant Specification and the History of Landscapes, the Second Year widens this out into both a business and marketing context, whilst exploring practical drawing office experience.  Finally, the Third Year encourages students to take a more proactive stance with the completion of a Major Design Project from conception to completion.  It is here where master planning, design detail and professional documentation are introduced.  The course is aimed not just for those who wish to take up Garden and Landscape Design as a future career, but also for those who glean enjoyment from the exploration of the designed environment.

Our support of the colleges helps us ensure that we remain in contact with potential future employees and go on to maintain the strength in depth of horticultural and design talent.