uni comes

School was in at Desert Channels Queensland last week when it partnered with Rangelands Australia to host the graduate diploma course, Sustainable Rangeland Production Systems and Regions in Longreach from the 20th to 24th April.

The course attracted a diverse range of students – from producers and government agencies, through to local government and regional body officers – coming from as far away as Charleville as well as a visiting student from Oman.

Rangelands Australia, part of the University of Queensland, provides remote training in rangelands management across the outback of Australia. Course lecturer Professor John Taylor said the Rangelands course is about taking education to the people in the Rangelands. “The aim is to improve accessibility of relevant education that also accommodates students’ commitments, such as work and family, and minimises the cost of education,” he said.

Rangelands students at Desert Channels Queensland (back from L-R) Yvette Dayes, Melody Logan, Cathy Mylrea, Mustahil Al-Aamri, Peter Klem, Toni Willmott, Professor John Taylor (front from L-R) Mike Chuk, Ron Beezley, Simon Jackson, Sarah Tune.

Professor Taylor said the Rangelands course is unique in that it offers recognition for prior learning (RPL) where students with little or no formal qualifications who can demonstrate a solid background in land management have a good chance to gain entry.

“The structure of the course helps students find confidence in their own knowledge and insights, and includes group sessions, small group work and short presentations. It also strengthens relationships with other participants, so they not only learn from me and the materials we provide, but also from each other.”

“We aim to offer more courses in the future and I encourage anyone interested to contact Rangelands Australia with their queries and suggestions. Most recently we held courses in Charleville and one in Charters Towers where people came from as far away a South Australia and Western Australia.”

“This course went really well and I’m impressed with the group’s contributions, insights and knowledge. It’s been a privilege to work with such as great group, and I have also learnt from them along the way,” Professor Taylor said.

DCQ promotes Rangelands Australia courses to the community of western Queensland along with supporting students in their study.

Rangelands Champion and DCQ staff member, Mike Chuk said, “The increasing number of students from western Queensland undertaking Rangelands Australia courses is encouraging – our region needs their expertise to meet the challenges of managing our natural resources and growing sustainable enterprises.”

DCQ recognises the value of delivering practical courses in land management at the university level either through remote learning or local face-to-face courses which have been recognised by both government and industry.
(27 April 2009)