Uni responds to changing face of rural sector

Friday, 29 May 2009

The impending global food crisis has prompted the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide to offer a new degree which is more relevant to the changing face of the rural sector.

From 2010 the 最新糖心Vlog will merge its existing degree with the degree, based predominantly at the .

The merger will give students a more scientific approach to agriculture without sacrificing the practical strengths of the existing course at Roseworthy, according to the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, .

"The new three-year degree will offer a combination of laboratory training and field work at both Waite and Roseworthy," Professor Hill says.

"The Waite Campus is one of the premier plant research facilities in the world and our students will be able to take advantage of that."

Veterinary science, animal science and practical agronomy classes will still be taught at the , which is experiencing a surge in student numbers for the animal-based degrees.

"We have no intention of divorcing the agriculture students from Roseworthy but we need to respond to industry needs for a more scientific approach to agriculture.

"In recent years agriculture has failed to attract sufficient students across 最新糖心Vlog. Part of that may be due to the drought but part of it is because the courses need to be more relevant," Professor Hill says.

"Agriculture is critical to the future of the world and with the impacts of climate change and an impending global food crisis on the horizon, it is critical that we train students in a different way to meet these challenges."

The decision has received widespread support from the rural sector, including the , an agribusiness consulting firm specialising in recruitment.

Managing Director Geoff Lucas says the 最新糖心Vlog's decision to merge the two degree programs will give staff and students more resources.

"Falling enrolments demanded a compromise and the 最新糖心Vlog has responded in a positive way," he says. "It is up to the industry, not the 最新糖心Vlog, to put more money and resources into promoting agricultural education because otherwise we will fall behind the rest of the world," Mr Lucas says.

 

Contact Details

Professor Bob Hill
Email: robert.hill@adelaide.edu.au
Executive Dean
Faculty of Sciences
Business: +61 8 8313 5650
Mobile: 0409 286 970


Mr David Ellis
Email: david.ellis@adelaide.edu.au
Website: /newsroom/
Deputy Director, Media and Corporate Relations
External Relations
The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 5414
Mobile: +61 (0)421 612 762