Articles
Bucking the trend: growing university enrolments in urban horticulture
Article number
1126_31
Pages
239 – 248
Language
English
Abstract
From 2007 to 2013, campus enrolments in horticultural programs at the Burnley Campus of the University of Melbourne increased by 120%. This occurred after a period of enrolment decline attributable to range of factors including loss of staff and major structural changes to University courses.
The turnaround in numbers has affected two major qualifications at Burnley, The Associate Degree in Urban Horticulture and the Master of Urban Horticulture.
We discuss how the increasing enrolments at Burnley can be attributed to developing a clear narrative around what constitutes urban horticulture.
The renewal and revitalisation process that has occurred in enrolments continues and we emphasise that much work still needs to be done to keep programs alive.
The paper explores the importance of a coherent narrative of urban horticulture, which is enhanced and made authentic for students when teaching staff actively engage and network with industry to promote and develop new forms of urban horticulture.
A case study is provided of how this high level of engagement in the developing area of urban agriculture has been used to generate further research and teaching opportunities.
We argue that this networking helps create vocational opportunities for graduates and develops interest and motivation for future student enrolments.
This is despite the fact that student expectations of urban agriculture before enrolment can differ from core elements of their training once study commences.
Finally, we conclude that engagement and networking helps clarify the potential role of a professionally trained urban horticulturist to industry.
The turnaround in numbers has affected two major qualifications at Burnley, The Associate Degree in Urban Horticulture and the Master of Urban Horticulture.
We discuss how the increasing enrolments at Burnley can be attributed to developing a clear narrative around what constitutes urban horticulture.
The renewal and revitalisation process that has occurred in enrolments continues and we emphasise that much work still needs to be done to keep programs alive.
The paper explores the importance of a coherent narrative of urban horticulture, which is enhanced and made authentic for students when teaching staff actively engage and network with industry to promote and develop new forms of urban horticulture.
A case study is provided of how this high level of engagement in the developing area of urban agriculture has been used to generate further research and teaching opportunities.
We argue that this networking helps create vocational opportunities for graduates and develops interest and motivation for future student enrolments.
This is despite the fact that student expectations of urban agriculture before enrolment can differ from core elements of their training once study commences.
Finally, we conclude that engagement and networking helps clarify the potential role of a professionally trained urban horticulturist to industry.
Authors
C. Williams, J. Rayner
Keywords
education, networking, engagement, students, interdisciplinary, advocacy
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