Education and training update

In this issue I am very pleased to report on the incredible success of our postgraduate courses in plant biosecurity. These courses are delivered by four of our partner universities – Charles Darwin, LaTrobe, Murdoch and the University of Adelaide. The courses are designed for students to gain knowledge and an understanding of plant biosecurity at the highest level of industry requirements, whilst also providing a world-first university degree in plant biosecurity.

For the first semester of 2012 we have had an intake of more than 20 new students in the graduate Certificate, the majority of which come from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. We have also attracted new students from industry, including some who work in the agronomy field. We now have students from every state and territory of Australia, which is a wonderful achievement. Our next aim is to start recruiting more international students.

Based on current enrolment data we now have more than 35 students in the graduate certificate, four in the diploma, and three in the Masters. There have been two completions in the Certificate and one completed Masters. Both the Diploma and Masters are expected to re-open for enrolments in mid 2012. For further information please contact me.

The new PBCRC PhD scholarships will be available from July 2012. If you would like more information about developing PhD projects or the larger training projects that are being planned, please talk to me at the upcoming project planning workshops in Melbourne or Perth. Honours scholarships of $5000 remain available and more information about these can be found here.

Kirsty Bayliss
Education and Training Program Leader

Back to The Leaflet.