3 November 2016 World-leading universities join forces to provide agriculture education

Three of the world’s leading agriculture universities have combined their expertise to offer a specialist masterclass aimed at enhancing capacity within Australia’s horticulture industry.

The Masterclass in Horticulture Business will provide access to the best research from around the world by combining the expertise of the world’s number one-ranked university in agriculture and forestry, the Wageningen University in the Netherlands, New Zealand’s specialist land-based Lincoln University and the University of Tasmania, which is ranked in the top 100 universities globally for agriculture.

The partnership was formalised today with the signing of a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between the three universities and funding partner Horticulture Innovation Australia.

Head of the School of Land and Food at the University of Tasmania, Professor Holger Meinke, said the masterclass offered tremendous benefits for the horticulture industry. “Future growth and prosperity of horticulture depends on a resilient, adaptable and innovative workforce that is equipped to change with industry demands. The masterclass aims to help industry take its businesses to the next level by providing access to the best research and understanding global trends in agriculture and horticulture, international business, innovation, value chains, governance and risk.”

This sentiment was echoed by Lincoln University’s Professor Hugh Bigsby, who said: “Our partnership with Wageningen Academy, the professional training section of Wageningen University, is a boost for Lincoln University. The MoU is the beginning of a partnership that will reap tremendous benefits for our university. This will further strengthen our already strong partnership with the University of Tasmania.”

Best described as a mini-MBA, the 10-month masterclass is available to 30 growers and people working in the supply chain looking to take their businesses to the next level. Enrolments will open this year ahead of its introduction in early 2017.

The MoU ceremony took place in the presence of Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands on Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour.

Further information: www.utas.edu.au/masterclass-horticultural-business