Stuart Crosthwaite
With a science-based background, farm development officer Stuart Crosthwaite found himself working in a management position without the necessary management expertise. Stuart was motivated to undertake a Master of Agribusiness as it offered some MBA type subjects specifically targeted to agribusiness and to develop some quality financial and business management skills.
The Master of Agribusiness (coursework), now into its eighth year of delivery, is an interactive program that is delivered mostly online and is aimed at people who are already holding down a fulltime job, or running a business, or where distance can hinder attendance at a University.
Since completing the course Stuart has benefited both personally and professionally. “I now view the agribusiness world differently and like to think in a more holistic way, says Stuart. “My skill-base has been broadened and I feel more rounded as a consultant.”
Stuart found that online learning was the only practical way for him to study. “Living in a regional location and working full time made it difficult to hook into a tertiary institution to do further studies, but this online course enabled me to keep working and participate in the course after hours. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a lot of hard work, but if you’re working there are not a lot of alternatives,” he says.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of the course was the interaction with a group of like-minded professionals, and discovering what they do and how their industries operate. As well as expanding on my agribusiness contacts I developed a great camaraderie with other participants in the course, and it was wonderful to be able to interact with lecturers from overseas as well as Australia.
“I’m fired up now and motivated to take on new challenges in many different ways. I’ve been inspired to do more study in the areas of Risk Management and the financial and economic analysis of businesses would be another area that interests me.”
A recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with Universitas 21 offers our graduate students some exciting opportunities to undertake graduate programs through Land and Food and then transfer to U21 Global Masters or other graduate program with advanced standing and credits.
Further information about the Master of Agribusiness can be obtained by phoning Diane Cardinal (03) 8344 6883, or email, d.cardinal@unimelb.edu.au or visiting the website at www.agribusiness.unimelb.edu.au