WIELDING THE CANE: OUTCOMES FROM THE CRC SIIB’S POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM

THE Postgraduate Education Program of the CRC for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology (CRC SIIB) has engaged 41 postgraduate students across five universities since the CRC began in 2003. The major aim of any postgraduate program is to provide research training in a manner that fosters the development of independent research skills in students. To further enhance skill development, the CRC SIIB postgraduate students were integrated in CRC SIIB research projects to provide a richer, research-training environment for the student. Furthermore, links between the students’ research and CRC SIIB industry partners were further enhanced by the involvement of industry supervisors or mentors in the students’ studies. This close interaction also enabled students to develop a real industry perspective on the benefit of their research. Outcomes from the CRC SIIB Postgraduate Education Program are already been recognised, as highly skilled CRC SIIB graduates are being employed by industry organisations. This paper provides an overview of the CRC SIIB’s Postgraduate Education Program and suggests how the Program has been beneficial to both the CRC SIIB and sugarcane industry.