New Agriculture Diploma at Massey

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 35, 21 February 1984, Page 4

New Agriculture Diploma at Massey

Major changes in Massey University's Diploma in Agriculture will result in men and women returning to the farming industry, well prepared to cope with new ideas and new technology. This is the opinion of Mr P.A. MacGillivray, Director of Farming Diploma Studies, whose traditional course has been suspended to allow the revised diploma to take effect in May, 1985. He maintains that the new diploma will give students confidence in knowing how to approach and evaluate the many problems and propositions that crop up in farming. It will also make them more receptive to new ideas. One of the main reasons for revising the course, he says, is the amount of change currently taking place in agriculture. "We are seeing massive changes in data processing, breeding, feed utilisation and the range of feasible enterprises — particularly with the growth of deer farming and agroforestry", he said. He added that a greater number of business skills were now required of farmers. The new course, according to Mr MacGillivray, is designed to prepare students for this climate of change. It will provide them not just with current technical information, but with a method for using this and

new information to achieve farming goals. The diploma will still take a year to complete, but it is now set up so that students entering the final term (in autumn) can each evaluate a farming proposal of their choosing. Mr MacGillivray has already tried this approach on diploma students and has been highly impressed with the choice of projects. Another reason for the major review is other developments in agricultural education. Mr MacGillivray pointed out that there are now many more opportunities for tertiary education in agriculture. He referred, in particular, to the correspondence courses for the farming certificates offered by the Trade Certification Board. "These courses are now well organised under the Agricultural Training Council", he said, adding that Massey's courses must be continually reviewed as they develop. The timing of the new diploma course should also bring a number of other advantages. The May start, compared with the August start in previous years, will enable the teaching programme to cover a full farming year and tie in with operations on the University Farms. The practical work carried out

over the summer vacation can now be used as a bf^\ for teaching. Furthermoi'f students will finish the course in time for a new season, thus improving their job prospects. Mr MacGillivray expects all these changes to bring a new prestige to the diploma and make it a much soughi after qualification. He assures those students who had planned to do diploma studies this year that the new course will be well worth waiting for.