The University of Queensland’s Gatton Campus has opened a teaching laboratory to cater for the rising demand for agricultural and environmental studies.
The laboratory, officially opened today by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Dr John McVeigh, will boost student access to high-class electronic and laboratory resources.
Dr McVeigh said state-of-the-art learning was essential for agriculture, environmental science and applied science students who would contribute to Queensland’s economic growth in these areas.
“Agriculture is one of the four pillars of Queensland’s economy and will continue to provide increasing career prospects for young people,” Dr McVeigh said.
“We will need a highly skilled workforce for the agriculture and food industries of the future and facilities such as this will ensure we are providing the best academic environment for teaching the science that underpins sustainable agriculture.”
UQ Dean of Agriculture Professor Neal Menzies said the opening of the laboratory was timed to coincide with the 2014 introduction of two Gatton-based majors in the Bachelor of Science (BSc).
Students in the new BSc majors of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience and Soil and Plant Bioscience and existing agriculture programs will be taught the fundamental disciplines of plant and animal biology, animal genetics and physiology, animal nutrition and biochemistry.
“We are seeing a growth in enrolment numbers and increasing interest in study of agriculture and the environment, and this new facility demonstrates the commitment of UQ to support industry and the state government’s vision for Queensland,” Professor Menzies said.
Media: Minister McVeigh, Louise Gillis, 0408 709 160
