CAREERS in agriculture can start in high school, after last week’s memorandum between Western Sydney University and six high schools was signed on the Hawkesbury campus.
Under the agreement, the principals of each school select agricultural students to study part-time in the university’s faculty, with a view to studying for an agriculture degree later on.
Richmond High School, Colo High School in North Richmond, Bede Polding College at South Windsor, Cranebrook High School, Xavier College in Llandilo and Hurlstone Agricultural High School in Glenfield, signed up to the program.
It follows this year’s pilot program at WSU with 17 high school students.
‘‘We have a long history of being involved in agriculture on the Hawkesbury campus,’’ WSU’s dean of science and health Gregory Kolt said.
‘‘The Hawkesbury Agricultural College [later absorbed into the university] was established here in 1891.’’
Professor Kolt said agriculture had an exciting future as there were many challenges, such as guaranteeing the supply of enough quality food for the world to eat.
‘‘I’m looking forward to the students educated here taking up the question of food security and sustainability,’’ he said.
‘‘We need solutions, not just here, but for the nation and the world.’’
Bede Polding College Year 11 student Emily Jones said she enrolled in the pilot program to get a taste of tertiary studies.
‘‘I’ve always wanted to do something with agriculture,’’ Emily said.
‘‘I don’t live on a farm, but I’ve grown up with horses and cows and always been involved with animals in some way.’’
She said like Professor Kolt, she was interested in finding solutions to future food shortages.
WSU agriculture education officer April Browne said tackling such shortages might be closer to home than many think.
‘‘In western Sydney some areas have no access to fresh food; why is that?’’ Ms Browne said.
Fellow education officer Chris Vella said he was excited some students had also asked the question.
‘‘Some are talking about how we get this food to where it needs to be,’’ Mr Vella said.
‘‘How do we also make sure people are more educated about what they eat?’’
WSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Denise Kirkpatrick said the new agricultural program was one of the most exciting the university had launched.
‘‘It’s for the future; about the big issues facing the society around us,’’ Professor Kirkpatrick said.
‘‘This isn’t a walk in the park; we hope it pushes us and we hope you achieve something.’’
