UQ Gatton Open Day pulls big crowd

About 4000 people turned up for UQ Gatton's Open Day [Sunday, August 26], confirming a resurgence of interest in rural and environmental tertiary study.

Organisers were delighted with the response from prospective students, their families and members of the public who turned out to inspect facilities and learn about programs on offer for 2002.

Visitors were not disappointed, taking in the many displays, mingling with staff and students and taking campus tours.

Information sessions hosted by academic leaders from agribusiness, agriculture, horticulture, animal studies and environmental management were extremely popular, with standing room only in some lecture theatres.

Entertainment included equestrian events and displays by a number of community groups.

UQ Gatton campus manager Stephen Weller said the response was very pleasing and reflected the interest in student enrolments at the internationally-recognised educational facility.

"UQ Gatton has a distinguished reputation for the excellence of its graduates, many of whom have gone on to positions of industry leadership around Australia and overseas," he said.

"We have enhanced the appeal of the campus with new programs and study options which offer real employment prospects."

Animal industries enrolments have been particularly strong with several new study electives. Programs in environmental management and wildlife ecology are also drawing students from across a wide spectrum.

A multi-million dollar upgrade of campus facilities is underway, ranging from a new building housing the School of Natural and Rural Systems Management to a new state-of-the-art dairy and enhanced student facilities.

The University has structured its courses at UQ Gatton to meet the future skills needs of the rural sector with a full range of study options from three and four-year degrees to two-year diplomas and certificates.

For further information about study options at UQ Gatton, contact the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science (telephone 1800 642 093).