Scholarships to increase numbers studying Agribusiness
Curtin University is offering 15 scholarships to students entering their first year of Bachelor of Agribusiness in 2017, as part of the University's response to the ongoing demand for graduates within Australia's agriculture industry.
Of the 15 scholarships, worth $3000 each, 12 will be offered to students with ATAR levels of 80 and above, while the remaining three will be awarded to students who do not have an ATAR, but have graduated with the appropriate preparation from any Western Australian College of Agriculture.
Associate Professor Jennifer McIlwain, Head of Curtin's Department of Environment and Agriculture, said the scholarships could help reduce pressures on students when settling into their new life as a university student.
"We're hoping these grants will inspire students to study agribusiness and also help with the ongoing demand for graduates from various agricultural/agribusiness organisations," Associate Professor McIlwain said.
"In the past two years alone, 89 per cent of our students were employed in various agriculture-related roles before graduating.
"We expect the demand for agribusiness graduates to increase – particularly with the recent Deloitte report, Positioning for Prosperity, which identified agriculture as one of the "fantastic five" industries to drive economic growth in the Australian economy. Agriculture has also been cited as having the potential to take over from the mining industry as the major job creator."
Associate Professor McIlwain said Curtin had consulted with industry in October 2015 as part of a review of the Agribusiness course, aimed at ensuring graduates from the course are well-suited to the needs of industry.
"Students can expect a hands-on degree, with a good balance of science and business elements, so they graduate with a well-rounded education with relevant industry experience that will keep their options open for their chosen career path," Associate Professor McIlwain said.
"Agribusiness encompasses the whole food production system from paddock to plate, so we want to ensure our students have the flexibility to head in whatever direction they choose – whether that is molecular genetics, agronomy, agribusiness economics or marketing of food produce – we'll ensure they are job ready at the end their three years of study."
Interested students must apply by 16 December 2016.
For more information about the 12 Curtin Agribusiness Student Bursaries for students with ATAR levels of 80 and above, visit: http://scholarships.curtin.edu.au/scholarships/scholarship.cfm?id=2792.0
For more information about the three bursaries for graduates of any Western Australian College of Agriculture, visit: http://scholarships.curtin.edu.au/scholarships/scholarship.cfm?id=2791.0
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