Post-graduate students. Where are they now?
Post-graduate students. Where are they now? - Beef CRC - Beef Genetic Technologies
| 23 October 2009 |
 Co-operative Research Centres are, by their very nature, all about collaborative research.Participants from different organizations come together to tackle industry problems which could not otherwise be solved by a single entity. But while CRCs give established scientists the scope to undertake projects, is there enough focus on encouraging a new generation of researchers? A study recently completed by independent consultant, Dr Jennifer Clulow, has found the answer. Dr Graham Gardner from the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Murdoch University has overseen both the Beef and Sheep CRC’s postgraduate program since 2001. Over that time he has seen numerous students come and go. He said there is no doubt the CRCs give postgraduate students a taste for the research life. “Many postgraduate students play an important role in the research projects undertaken by CRCs,” Dr Gardner said. “Students make a direct contribution to the achievement of key experimental milestones. In fact, it has been estimated that post graduate researchers deliver a considerable proportion of the CRC’s entire research output.” But while the rewards of their financial support can be easily identified in the early stages, Dr Gardner said questions have been raised over whether investment in the training of postgraduate researchers has benefits in the long term. “There is no point training these people only to have them walk away from research or agriculture altogether. Industry wants to know that the specialists they help train are being retained within the beef and sheep industries,” he said. Dr Gardner said it is a fair question given the scale of investment. “Since 2001 the training of post-graduate students has cost in excess of $4.5 million dollars across four CRCs,” he said. “We should be able to show industry they are getting bang for their buck.” A survey conducted for the sheep industry in 2004 highlighted how important post graduate programs would eventually become. “Taylor Nelson Sofres Plc interviewed 100 sheep industry organisations. They estimated the demand for new postgraduates would rise to 222 over the next 5 years to enable the continuation of valuable research.” But Dr Gardner said it’s not only the sheep industry that is demanding postgraduate students. He maintains the beef industry is in the same boat. “It was in response to that survey that both the Beef and Sheep CRCs aimed to boost their postgraduate programs in a bid to fill the knowledge gap and deliver some of these trained professionals to industry.” But has the program been a success? |
 “That’s what this latest survey aimed to find out. We needed to benchmark the current CRC program to assess whether these postgraduates were being retained within the agricultural sector.”45 students from Sheep CRC I, Beef CRC I and II were surveyed. The breakdown of students included: Sheep CRC (22 students); Beef CRC I (12 students); Beef CRC II (21 students). According to Dr Gardner success of the postgraduate program can be assessed in a number of ways. “Success may be demonstrated by retaining students solely within their PhD field e.g. Beef CRC postgraduates working in a post doctoral position that is purely a continuation of their PhD research.” “Or it could be that the student has chosen to work within the sheep and cattle industries more generally. Furthermore, it could even mean that students are retained within the agricultural industry." He said due to the high degree of professional overlap of these industries, each of these areas should be considered as a successful retention of a postgraduate. Overall, the results indicated that CRC investment has paid off with a positive retention of highly trained professionals within the red meat industry. “Among those contacted, at least 80 per cent have remained within the Agricultural industry following graduation,” said Dr Gardner. “Furthermore, 70 per cent of those contacted are employed more specifically within the beef and sheep industries.” Dr Gardner said the careers chosen by Sheep and Beef CRC postgraduates are many and varied. “Many of the postgraduates are working as research scientists within organizations like CSIRO or the state Departments of Primary Industries. Several others have taken on academic roles within universities both researching and lecturing.” He said the benefits of these sorts of positions are two-fold. “Not only are they contributing to ongoing research support for industry, but they are also training the next generation of research scientists and industry professionals.” But Dr Gardner was surprised to learn that of all the respondants, very few had gone on to secure post-doctoral positions. “In the whole survey, only two people had secured a post-doctoral position.” But it’s not all doom and gloom. Dr Gardner said this may simply reflect the aging nature of academia. While postgraduate students traditionally obtain or secure a postdoctoral position and then move into a more senior academic role within the University, many seem to be skipping this step. “The Beef and Sheep postgraduates seem to be moving directly into senior research and academic positions. This could be a reflection of the current skills shortage within the agricultural science community.” “It could also be that these postgraduate students are in fact replacing an aging population within the lecturing and research institutions.” Dr Gardner said the survey found that Beef and Sheep CRC students were also receiving good remuneration packages. “The majority of CRC postgraduate students are receiving in excess of $60,000/annum. As they progress through their careers, this figure is expected to increase to beyond $81,000/annum.” As part of the graduate tracking survey, Dr Gardner said postgraduates no longer working within the Beef/Sheep industry were asked what reasons had contributed to them seeking employment in alternative industries. “Although, we had very few students who had actually left the industry, it seemed those that had were offered a competing opportunity within other industries, mostly within poultry, pork and human medicine.” According to Dr Gardner, the survey results highlight the importance of continued investment in postgraduate programs by industry. “If we are to continue to carry out the critical research needed to ensure the ongoing sustainability and profitability of the beef and sheep industries then ongoing financial support of these students is imperative,” he said. |
| For further information, contact Alison Betts, Communications Manager, (02) 6773 3795 or 0439 405 077 |
