Draft concept plan looks at Faculty's future directions

The University of Queensland's Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science is considering a draft concept plan for the Faculty's long-term future development and enhancement of its international reputation.

Faculty Executive Dean Professor Craig Pearson has developed the draft plan, which has been circulated to all staff in the Faculty and made available to students for consultation.

"Optimising our staff and physical resources is an important part of a strategy to establish the Faculty as one of the top five globally for excellence in agricultural and related education," he said.

"The Faculty has an outstanding national asset in its extensive resources for teaching and research in these areas.

"As the development of our resources has been influenced by many factors over the greater part of the 20th century, it is timely to review our operations for the beginning of the new millennium."

Professor Pearson said his aim was to provide the University with a clear choice between the current operations with staff and facilities operating over multiple sites, and what he believed would be a potentially more streamlined and cost-effective model with most activities consolidated on the two sites of St Lucia and Gatton College.

He welcomed comments from any interested parties, internally or externally, on the draft concept plan, which addresses the issue of how best to deliver teaching and research across the broad range of areas, and industries, which the Faculty serves.

Professor Pearson said he would refine the plan after discussions with staff, students, external advisers and the Faculty Board, and after he had received written submissions from any other interested University and external parties.

A series of consultation meetings are being held with staff, students, external advisers and the Faculty board in February and March.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ted Brown said it was appropriate that faculties looked at the broad issues of their structure, operations and academic programs, and at the best strategies to achieve their goals in the delivery of world-class teaching and research programs.

However, it was important to appreciate that faculty level discussions do not necessarily become University policy, Professor Brown said. Matters affecting academic programs required evaluation by the Academic Board, and issues such as funding and use of University sites required assessment elsewhere for their impact on the University as a whole. Ultimately it would be a matter for decision by the University Senate.

People wishing to provide feedback can email Faculty executive officer Ian Harris at iharris@uqg.uq.edu.au or write to the Executive Dean, Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland, Gatton College 4345.

Media contact: Professor Pearson, telephone 0754 601 201.