Key Australian industries could lose their competitive edge as students are increasingly turning their backs on agricultural degrees, faculty deans and government figures have warned.
Academics have claimed that such courses are in serious need of a makeover in a bid to rekindle student interest. Such degrees tend to be labelled as old-fashioned, with pupils feeling they lead to poorly-paid jobs.
Enrolments have dipped by almost 30 per cent in the past decade, according to figures from the federal Department of Education, Science and Training.
“The feedback we’ve had is that some school guidance counsellors have perpetuated the idea that agriculture is boring and it’s more about doing a trade,” said Rick Roush, dean of land and food resources at the University of Melbourne.
Last month, a federal parliamentary enquiry recommended better coordination between universities and fee changes to boost student numbers. The strategies were welcomed by Richard Williams, deputy dean of natural resources, agriculture and veterinary sciences at the University of Queensland.
“A reduced fee programme would get students’ attention at least,” he said.
