A GROUP of agriculturalists from Papua New Guinea have arrived in Australia to undertake innovative training at the University of New England (UNE).
The 25 participants, from a range of PNG agriculture businesses and cooperatives, will undertake most of their six week training at UNE's Armidale campus next month but this week enjoy an action-packed road trip throughout northern NSW and southern Queensland.
Meeting successful agribusiness owners and managers and learning first-hand how they have built and run their businesses is the first stage of their busy program.
UNE is partnering with RuralBiz Training to deliver the short course, funded by Australia Awards for PNG. A workshop held in Port Moresby helped to identify the particular challenges the participants face and potential new business opportunities.
UNE course coordinator Peter Fitzgerald and RuralBiz Training chief executive officer Kathy Sims have since adapted the course design and content to suit their specific needs.
But it won't all be one-way learning, according to UNE's director of international development activities, Professor John Gibson.
“We've learnt an enormous amount already about how systems work in PNG, the problems participants face and the opportunities that exist for improvement," he said. "This course sees us working together to try and find solutions. It also builds long-term relationships and opportunities for further collaboration."
Course participants will undertake a wide range of site visits in addition to this week's road trip, helping them to establish a network of new business contacts. Those who successfully complete the training in Australia and a project back home in PNG will have the opportunity to gain a formal award of CERT IV in Agribusiness.
While Rural Biz Training (part of Academies Australasia) has successfully partnered with UNE to deliver a Bachelor of Agrifood Systems for several years, this is the first time the university has collaborated with the training organisation to deliver an Australia Awards short course. It combines UNE’s extensive experience in customised international short-course training with RuralBiz Trainings’ experience in delivering Agribusiness CERT IV training.
The group is visiting Cherrydale Orchard, Tenterfield, NSW; Smokey Flavours of the Granite Belt Woodchips, Ballandean, Tal’ngai Alpacas, The Summit; Aloomba Lavender, Stanthorpe; High Trees Estate Organic Coffee Plantation, Dalwood, NSW; Summerland House Farm (House with No Steps), Alstonville; the OzGroup Cooperative Pack house in Coffs Harbour; and the University of New England, Armidale.