My Agricultural University Experience
My experience studying Agriculture at a university in Australia wasn't what I expected. I assumed it would be a natural progression from high school, with the subject matter becoming increasingly challenging. While it did get harder, the degree also became surprisingly broad and sometimes felt irrelevant. Becoming a jack of all trades while not becoming a master of one. However, finding out what you DON'T want to do is equally important. It was just unexpected. In hindsight, I shouldn't have been surprised - Agriculture covers a wide range of topics, from market trends and technology to science, economics, genetics, and even accounting concepts.
We were constantly reminded of the importance of our degree in feeding a growing population with limited resources, in a sustainable and positive way. This was inspiring, but the enthusiasm waned when the coursework became mundane and repetitive. To be honest, I'm not a fan of the degree. We were taught to rote learn, memorising countless flashcards, weeds, plants, and seeds. This felt different from 'learning to think' and innovate, which is what I expected.
The traditional coursework felt restrictive, with little room for creativity or entrepreneurialism. I understand that science can be black and white ( and almost always is), but I believe there's value in exploring the grey areas. The nuances. With over 450 students in a single lecture hall, it is challenging to make a meaningful impact. I think universities have a significant opportunity to make a difference by embracing new teaching methods and technologies. Learning from over 20 academics who are experts in their field was interesting, but sometimes their views were conflicting, biased, or outdated. The best academics had a deep understanding of their area, and industry experience, and managed to balance their work as lecturers with real-world applications.
Ironically, the use of AI tools and other study aids was discouraged, even though they're readily available and widely used in the industry. This felt outdated, especially considering the times we're living in. Where every company in the world let alone the industry is using them.
As I reflect, the disconnect between academia and industry becomes increasingly apparent. My experience working at a leading AgTech startup during my final year of university was a game-changer. It taught me more than my entire four-year degree. The job ignited a fire within me, encouraging me to think differently, challenge the status quo, and take ownership of my work.
In contrast, my university experience often felt like a monotonous exercise in following the expected path. The startup job taught me to approach problems with a solutions-focused mindset, to back myself, and to recognise that collaboration is key - that no one person has all the answers.
This experience has convinced me that we need to revolutionise the way we teach agriculture in Australian universities. We need to shift the focus from mere knowledge transfer to fostering creativity, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking. We need to bridge the gap between academia and industry, bringing them together to develop practical solutions to real-world problems.
By doing so, we can empower the next generation of agricultural leaders to drive innovation, think outside the box, and tackle the complex challenges facing our industry.