Terry Hill
When Terry Hill, manager of a State agriculture research and development program in horticulture, saw an advertisement in a local paper for The University of Melbourne's Master of Agribusiness online course he jumped at the opportunity to be one of the first applicants. Two years later Terry Hill is one of the first graduates from this innovative course.
The Master of Agribusiness (coursework) is an interactive new program that is delivered online (with a one-week residential each year) and is aimed at people who are already holding down a full time job or running a business and where distance can hinder attendance at a University.
For Terry the two main motivators in undertaking the course were the flexible delivery via the Net and the Course links to cutting edge lecturers at Guelph and Monash Universities as well as at The University of Melbourne.
"The aspects that were most challenging in completing a Masters whilst working part-time, were time management and applying the learning to my current work environment," says Terry. "The chance to work with people from a range of areas in Agribusiness across Australia was most rewarding. This close working relationship was fostered in the Course through the organisation of group exercises and my network of friends and colleagues in agribusiness has expanded considerably."
Studying online suited Terry exceptionally well as he travels a lot in his job and was able to continue learning and contribute to online discussions and discussion sessions with lecturers from wherever he was at the time. It also allowed him to manage his contribution to the course around his family commitments, as he could work online at any time of the day
"The Course has benefited me professionally by advancing my thinking in key areas, such as, leadership, risk management and strategic management. This thinking has then been applied to my current work activities."
Managers and other professionals in horticulture with a level of industry experience will find the course challenging in exploring and understanding the disciplines that are common to agribusiness and horticultural management. The key to the course is the ability to discuss issues and exam problems relevant not only to the government and big business sectors in agriculture and horticulture, but also to examine the many issues relevant to SMEs (small - medium enterprises).
Primarily pitched at professionals looking to build upon their first degree, the course also provides for entry into a Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness program for managers and professionals with solid industry experience.
Further information about the Master of Agribusiness can be obtained by phoning Diane Cardinal (03) 8344 6883 (Course Administrator), Peter McSweeney (Course Coordinator) (03) 9250 6848 or by visiting the website at www.agribusiness.unimelb.edu.au