Deakin launches new Food and Agribusiness major at Warrnambool campus

Member for Wannon Dan Tehan officially launched the new Food and Agribusiness major at Deakin's Warrnambool campus today, at an event attended by business and industry representatives who have supported the development of the program.

The new major will be part of Deakin's internationally recognised Bachelor of Commerce and help meet regional and national demand for skilled employees while drawing on the region’s food and fibre strengths.

Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said the new offering was tailored to drive the growing agribusiness sector in Southwest Victoria and beyond.

"There is strong demand for agribusiness graduates locally and nationally across the food and fibre supply chain, including processing, financial management and business advice as well as in farm-based businesses," Professor den Hollander said.

"This new offer, developed following input from business and industry, provides an exciting opportunity for employers to recruit graduates who will learn specific agribusiness skills as part of their studies at Deakin."

Deakin University Warrnambool Director Alistair McCosh said the new course would appeal to both locals and students living and working outside the region.

"The food and fibre supply-chain underpins the Great South Coast economy and employs about 22 per cent of the region's workers, so we're very confident our Food and Agribusiness major will meet industry needs and appeal to local students," Mr McCosh said.

"I also expect that the unique offer we have at our Warrnambool campus will attract students from further afield who wish to pursue careers in this growing sector of our economy."

In addition to supporting the development of the new major, business and industry in the region are also making available scholarships to support students studying the Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Food and Agribusiness at Deakin University's Warrnambool campus.

Students can enrol in the Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University Warrnambool in 2018 and start their specialisation in Food and Agribusiness in 2019.