Charles Sturt University (CSU) Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Andrew Vann has welcomed a report on Agricultural Education and Training in NSW which underlined the importance of agriculture for all Australians.

 

The report, by Emeritus Professor Jim Pratley – a Research Professor of Agriculture in the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences (SAWS) at CSU, was released by the NSW Government yesterday.

 

"The report clearly demonstrates there will be increased demand for Australian agricultural products over the coming decades," Professor Vann said.

 

"This will benefit all Australians, but only if we are able to provide a workforce to allow the industry to thrive.

 

"That is why it is so important for the industry to assess its need for qualified agribusiness professionals, and to clearly articulate that need to all levels of government.

 

"Australian universities will also need to work with industry to ensure the continued availability of suitably trained graduates to work in agricultural business management, finance, trade, and associated roles."

 

CSU SAWS course director Dr Yann Guisard said the report highlighted the need to better integrate agricultural issues into the curriculum for primary and high school students.

 

"What we're seeing is that there's a growing disconnect between the realities of agricultural business and practice in Australia, and the perception of it by students and the broader population," he said.

 

"Modern agricultural practice demands skills in science and economics, and an appreciation of both Australian and international markets. It utilises the latest technology, it can take you around the world, and it's evolving at a very rapid rate.

 

"All of these factors could be used as exemplars in school curriculums in science, mathematics, language studies, history, economics, geography, and the list goes on.

 

"Most graduates from Charles Sturt University's Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management secure jobs before they have even finished the degree, such is the demand from industry. If we're going to continue to meet that demand, we need to ensure we're doing everything we can to show our future students the possibilities that careers in agriculture can offer them."

 

Through its School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences in Orange and Wagga Wagga and its role in research centres, including the Institute for Land, Water and Society,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation and National, Wine and Grape Industry Centre, Charles Sturt University is a leading provider of agricultural, horticultural and wine science education in Australia.