The University of Queensland is leading a national drive to improve the teaching, learning and job prospects of Australia's 26 university-based undergraduate biotechnology programs.
The project, directed by UQ Business School's Associate Professor Damian Hine and Associate Professor Ross Barnard from the Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences (BACS), also involves investigators from the University of New South Wales, Flinders University and Monash University.
It recently received a funding injection of $100,000 as part of The Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education's Discipline-Based Initiatives Scheme.
Dr Hine welcomed the funds, saying biotechnology's highly cross-disciplinary nature, and the rapid technological development in the industry increased the need for a national approach to its teaching and learning to advantage the placement of graduates.
The project builds on the work funded by the Australian Universities Teaching Committee (AUTC), now The Carrick Institute, over the past four years by this team. This work has created a number of national of initiatives including Uni-BEN (University Biotechnology Educators Network) encompassing more than 238 academics and 100 university administrators associated with the nation's biotechnology programs.
Previous projects undertaken by this team also found deficiencies in graduates' skills sets in critical areas, the most pertinent being Chemistry. Other so-called "soft skills" needed focus as well, such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork and analytical skills. Meanwhile, biotechnology graduates reported limited advancement opportunities within small companies.
Dr Hine said the scoping study to be undertaken over the next year would initially include a greater engagement with industry, particularly the peak industry body, AusBiotech, and the Australian Institute for Commercialisation. The team will also investigate the current status of undergraduate biotechnology programs nationally to determine factors such as growth or shrinkage in student numbers and long-term sustainability given tighter budgets and shifting governmental funding priorities.
The team is due to report its findings in July 2007.
Some key aims of the project include:
- an international benchmark comparison with leading biotechnology programs and industry involvement
- the creation of a knowledge broker position to work with universities and industry to help place recent
graduates
- greater integration of industry cases and problem-based learning into the curriculum for the science,
applied science and business portions of biotechnology programs
- development of a matrix of skills required by employers as industries and professions change over time
to ensure graduate attributes keep pace with the changing nature of industry and society
- development of a website on the Uni-BEN site to facilitate industry placements of both graduates and
potentially fourth-year students undertaking work experience- production of a "how to" booklet
detailing best practice for creating a successful university biotechnology program
- consolidation of collaborative agreements, including student and staff exchanges, with overseas
universities offering biotechnology programs. UQ already has links in place with a number of Indian
universities, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the University of California, and
- school visits to raise awareness of biotechnology among the next generation of potential students.
Media inquiries: Dr Damian Hine (3365 1549) or Shirley Glaister at UQ Communications (3365 2339).
