The Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester’s Stroud Road held a special online party – featuring a gargantuan cake resembling the institution – with global partners to mark its 180th anniversary on Wednesday, September 24.
RAU staff and governors were joined online by senior staff from partner universities in China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.
The special birthday cake – crafted in the shape of the RAU’s main building – was made for the celebration by RAU alumnus from the area Simone Walls.
The huge cake was more than two feet high and 2ft wide and weighed more than 65 kilograms.
Among the ingredients were 168 eggs, more than 9kg of flour and 11kg of buttercream.
RAU vice-chancellor Professor Peter McCaffery and Dame Fiona Reynolds, chair of the university’s Governing Council, welcomed guests to the party in person and online at the university’s Alliston Centre.
Joining online were President Professor Jinshan Zhao from Qingdao Agricultural University in China, President Professor Changjian Leng from Shandong Agricultural University in China, president Yanzhi Zhao from Shenyang University in China and Chancellor Aisha Abu Shlaibi from the University of Al Dhaid in the UAE.
Also joining online were Rector Dr Munira Aminova from the International Agriculture University in Uzbekistan, Rector Professor Ihor Kovalenko from Sumy National Agrarian University in Ukraine and Professor Tiger Wang, RAU alumnus and Honorary Fellow and head of the RAU’s China office.
After hearing messages from the university’s global partners, Dame Fiona proposed a toast to celebrate the institution’s 180th anniversary before joining Professor McCaffery to cut the cake.
The university was founded in 1845 as the Royal Agricultural College and is the oldest agricultural college in the English-speaking world.
Professor McCaffery said: “Agricultural innovation requires international collaboration, and we are delighted our global partners in China, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Sharjah could join us today to celebrate our 180th anniversary this month.
“We are all driven by a universal purpose to care for the land and all who depend on it, as well as united by a common desire to address the global challenges that face humankind – climate change, food security, sustainable land use, biodiversity loss and heritage management.
“Our founding mission, as the very first agricultural college in the English-speaking world, was to develop agricultural education and land management across the world, and we are delighted and honoured to have them as members of our global family.
“They bear testament to the RAU’s enduring impact and influence locally, nationally and globally as we aim to ensure we continue to be as socially relevant today and in the future as we have been over the past 180 years.”
The RAC opened its doors to its first 25 students almost exactly 180 years ago on September 15, 1845.
The institution, which became a university in 2013, has held a number of special events to celebrate its 180th anniversary this year.
In addition to the more-than 1,100 students studying at its Cirencester campus, the RAU has more than 3,000 students enrolled on RAU courses with its international partners.
There is planned growth for more than 4,000 students in 2026-27 and more than 5,000 students in 2027-28.