Scotland's Rural College

Four respected partners – Barony, Elmwood and Oatridge Colleges and SAC – merged in 2012 to become Scotland’s Rural College – SRUC. We exist to deliver comprehensive skills, education and business support for Scotland’s land-based industries, founded on world class and sector-leading research, education and consultancy. The integration of these three complementary ‘knowledge exchange’ services is of significant value to all with an interest in land-based activities – be they learners, businesses, communities or policy-makers.

The future for the land-based industries will be extremely challenging with competing demands and new opportunities to be addressed. The next generation of business leaders and policy makers will need to be highly skilled and knowledgeable to navigate their way through a complex operating environment. To achiev e this, we will draw on our accomplished history of more than a century of success in supporting landbased communities and industries. Strong in our heritage, yet stronger still as SRUC, we will strive to lead the way in delivering economic, social and environmental benefits while providing a strong voice for our rural industries.

Our mission Committed to excellence in the advancement, communication and translation of knowledge throughout the rural sector. Our vision  leading innovation and sustainable development in agriculture, land and the rural sector. Global Aims are to create SRUC academic resources which have national impact and global influence. To be an international leader in land-based research and consultancy services.To be a sustainable, well-resourced organisation with exemplary environmental credentials and real ownership amongst students, staff and stakeholders. To continue to build on our assets and reputation.

Our Values are SRUC’s Shared Values were created by staff to shape the way we behave within the organisation and to describe how we deliver our services to customers and stakeholders. Our Shared Values are summed up by the acronym RISE, (Respect, Innovate, Support, Excel). We will RISE to our values; RESPECT everyone’s contributions, INNOVATE for success and SUPPORT each other to EXCEL in everything we do.

These were identified by employees as those they felt were most important to cultivate in the organisation. They reflect our ethos and underpin an environment that inspires and supports all employees to give their best and feel proud to work for SRUC. With these values we hope to bring people together and ensure they feel part of one big team here at SRUC. A team which works effectively together, and looks forward confidently to a successful future. RISE provides direction for all levels across all areas of SRUC, and as such the values have been placed at the core of everything we do. They are particularly important in areas such as leadership, performance, personal development and communication.