NUI Galway Postgraduate Prospectus 2021

School of Engineering College of Science and Engineering

PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE: MSc DURATION: 1 year, distance education NUMBER OF PLACES: 20 COURSE INSTANCE(S): Apply at www.springboardcourses.ie FEES AND FUNDING:

Your Course This Master ’s in AgInnovation course, a one-year distance education/blended learning entrepreneurship development programme (Level 9), aims to fill the gap in terms of entrepreneurship/intrapreneurship skills for the agri-ecosystem in Ireland. Key stakeholders include micro, small, medium, and large agri-companies as well as farmers. The aim of this course is to teach people how to identify areas for innovation specifically within the agri-domain, to create innovation-driven enterprises or to create new business units within an existing company. Particular consideration is given to helping students address: • Challenges around commercialising innovations (ideas and technologies); • Business constraints and guidelines (margins, CAGR, lifetime value, COCA, etc.); • Other difficulties related to getting new agri-products to sizeable markets (“crossing the chasm”). The course will include customer-focused problem identification, problem validation, market analysis, technology viability assessment, competitive positioning, team building, product lifecycle planning, marketing strategy, and sales channel analysis. Robust and comprehensive agri-focused business plans will be developed that begin with an executive summary and follow through to the presentation of a comprehensive marketing plan. Career Opportunities This course will help to better guide students and increase their skills, to share best practices in entrepreneurship in the agri-domain, and to accelerate innovation maturation and transfer into business. It will ideally place students to fill the agri-startup and innovation pipeline into the west of Ireland as well as nationally. Minimum Entry Requirements Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree, First or Second Class Honours in any discipline, along with three years of relevant industry experience; or an Ordinary or Third Class Honours undergraduate degree, along with five years of relevant industry experience; or a recognised professional qualification and five years of relevant industryl experience. Candidates who do not meet the minimum entry criteria may be interviewed to ascertain their suitability for the programme. FIND OUT MORE AT: www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/ aginnovation.html AgInnovation: Agricultural Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Co-funded by Springboard+ CLOSING DATE: June 2021

CONTACT Brendan Allen T: +353 91 493 929 E: brendan.allen@nuigalway.ie

3 GOOD REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE 1. Flexible learning: the

programme is delivered using a blended approach, a combination of distance/online learning materials with face-to-face tutorials and periodic seminars (at weekends). 2. Programme Director Dr John Breslin and Programme Manager Dr Brendan Allen have brought this process to NUI Galway after undertaking MIT’s Entrepreneurship Development Program. Dr Breslin is also a Funded Investigator at the VistaMilk Centre for Precision Pasture-Based Dairying. 3. This is a timely initiative because more agtech innovators are needed in companies and startups who can avail of early stage supports, then scale to get at the bigger funds. Now is the time to accelerate the agricultural innovation ecosystem in Ireland.

Thinking about applying? www.springboardcourses.ie

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