Echook News/ Poultry courses pave the way for future industry stars
From Poultry Hub
Poultry courses pave the way for future industry stars
Friday, 20 October 2006
The University of New England’s (UNE) poultry science units, partly funded by the Australian Poultry CRC, are continuing to attract students, with enrolments growing steadily since the units were first offered last year.
Students attended the compulsory four-day residential school last month at UNE in Armidale to undertake various practical activities.
“We’re very pleased with the response we’ve had to date and we’re looking forward to growing enrolments as awareness of the units increases,” said the Unit Coordinator, Associate Professor Julie Roberts.
“As indicated by the unit codes, Poultry Physiology (PLTY 300/500) and Poultry Production (PLTY 301/501) can be taken at either third year level or at the postgraduate fifth year level.
“Poultry Physiology covers most of the main physiological systems of poultry and other birds, whereas Poultry Production covers some of the more practical aspects of the poultry industry, including constraints to production, applied poultry genetics, poultry welfare and behaviour, nutrition and food safety,” explains Julie.
Teaching in both units is mainly by UNE staff with industry input from people such as poultry veterinarian Dr. Peter Scott.
Students enrolling in the units represent a wide variety of course backgrounds or ‘awards’, including Undergraduate and Advanced Diplomas, Bachelors of Science, Agriculture and Rural Science, Master of Science in Agriculture and Master of Science.
“At UNE, it is possible to enrol as a ‘non-award’ student but this involves paying full fees,” explains Julie.
“Students enrolled in an ‘award’ (diploma or degree) are eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place for which they pay a contribution towards their studies, but not full fees (old HECS Scheme).
“You can enrol in an award, complete one or more units and then defer enrolment until it's convenient to study additional units.
“Some of the students were already working in the poultry industry at the time of their studies, whereas others have gone on to find employment in the poultry industry.”
Michele Channell, who is studying for a Bachelor of Rural Science at UNE, did the course to find out more about the poultry industry, as the Rural Science Animal Production unit only touches on poultry.
“The best part of the course was hearing industry people speak at the residential school, as they gave a first-hand insight into the poultry industry,” says Michele.
“I can now see myself working in the poultry industry and I’ll be applying for jobs in the industry when I graduate.”
Two students who have already completed the units are now working in the industry. Sarah Haberecht completed both units last year, obtained a traineeship from AVPA (Australian Veterinary Poultry Alliance) and entered the Bartter Graduate Training Program. Mamoun Jaber completed the units earlier this year and is now employed by Frank Pace.
For more information, contact Associate Professor Julie Roberts on (02) 6773 2632 or email Julie Roberts
