Curtin University has welcomed results of the ‘Review of Post Secondary Agricultural Education in Western Australia’ released yesterday by Education Minister Elizabeth Constable.<\/p>\n
Under the report\u2019s recommendations, the CY O\u2019Connor Institute will offer high end vocational education in agriculture at the Northam campus from 2011.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurtin is broadly supportive of the recommendations of the report, and we believe it will be the start of a new future for the Northam campus,\u201d Curtin Vice-Chancellor Jeanette Hacket said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurtin and the CY O\u2019Connor Institute have been working together to develop pathways into degree courses for students.”<\/p>\n
Professor Hacket said the two institutions had submitted a Structural Adjustment Fund application to the Federal Government to help them enhance teaching and learning in the region.<\/p>\n
She said any grant funds would also support the long term sustainability of agricultural education in Western Australia, and develop student pathways.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Institute will move into the campus this year and will share the facilities with Curtin in 2011,\u201d Professsor Hacket said.<\/p>\n
She said declining enrolments had led the University to phase out teaching at Northam, but it remained committed to the discipline of agriculture.<\/p>\n
All agricultural courses had been reviewed and updated to ensure a better alignment to Curtin\u2019s graduate attributes and the needs of industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe worrying national decline in students wishing to study agriculture has highlighted the need to develop alternative student pathways,” Professor Hacket said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAgriculture is critical to the security and prosperity of the nation and the region, and the sector is now a sophisticated global enterprise requiring highly qualified and skilled graduates.<\/p>\n
\u201cCY O\u2019Connor Institute will provide a valuable vocational and practical option for students, linked to a university pathway for those who wish to pursue further studies in the discipline.\u201d<\/p>\n
From 2011, intake into Curtin\u2019s agribusiness and agricultural science courses will be at the University\u2019s main Bentley campus.<\/p>\n
Practical components such as field trips will enhance the academic course content.<\/p>\n
There will be no 2011 intake of new students at Northam by Curtin, and the University will cease teaching there by the end of 2012 at the latest.<\/p>\n
Curtin\u2019s decision to phase out teaching at Northam followed an extensive review and consultation process.<\/p>\n
This involved staff, students and stakeholders from government, industry, education and the local community.<\/p>\n
Professor Hacket said the University was aware the campus facilities were highly valued by the community.<\/p>\n
She said she was pleased the campus would remain an educational facility supporting regional development.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am confident the campus will continue to be a valuable resource for the community for years to come,\u201d Professor Hacket said.<\/p>\n
Dr Constable said she was confident the college would keep making a strong contribution to developing skills needed in the Western Australian agriculture industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe report found that to meet the challenges and opportunities of WA\u2019s agricultural sector, the rural workforce need to be more skilled with more secure career paths,\u201d Dr Constable said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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