Study at Gatton and see the world

Study at Gatton and see the world

Teaching at UQ Gatton went bush last year - and overseas to exotic places such as Africa and Asia.

Twenty-six students enrolled in Wildlife Biology, Animal Production and Environment courses took a trip to the Southern African Wildlife College, Kruger National Park and wildlife rehabilitation centres.

But it wasn't all play and no work - each had to turn in an individual project based on field studies of wildlife and eco management, marketing and tourism.

Bachelor of Agribusiness students (who graduated in December 2000 with a 100 percent strike rate for jobs) earned half their final-semester marks for real-life international market research projects which included two weeks fieldwork in Asia.

Their clients were Australian agribusiness firms sizing up markets in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Japan.

Closer to home, 52 final-year and postgraduate rangeland management students spent six days touring Queensland grazing properties and research facilities as far west as Charleville.

Study topics included livestock and kangaroo grazing, cell grazing, property management, and advisory services provided by the DPI and DNR.

Work placement electives took Bachelor of Applied Science (Animal Studies) students far and wide.

Choices included work at animal and bird sanctuaries in Townsville, Brisbane and the Gold Coast; cattle properties and piggeries in western Queensland; and horse studs and training facilities - including some overseas.

The focus on real-life learning often leads to employment opportunities at home and abroad.

For example, one Natural Systems and Wildlife student's industrial placement took him to the Galapagos Islands - and after graduation he went back there to a job as an environmental protection officer.

Some don't wait to graduate - like the Animal Studies student offered a job after completing her practice elective at the end of her second year. She switched to part-time study to work for a dog obedience training firm - with extra management training thrown in as part of the job.
For more information, contact Moya Pennell, UQ Communications, telephone 3365 2846, email m.pennell@mailbox.uq.edu.au