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Western Australian grain and livestock producer Terry Enright has been appointed Chair of the Industry Advisory Board of the Institute of Agriculture at The University of Western Australia.

The former Chairman of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) takes over from Bruce Piper who stepped down in May after more than five years as the inaugural chair.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson welcomed Dr Enright to the position which plays a critical role in the Institute's strategic direction and interaction with industry.

Professor Johnson said the University would look to Dr Enright to lead the Board, providing advice and support to the Director to enhance the value of the Institute and the University to the rural and regional industries through Institute policy and direction.

Terry Enright has overseen a reorganisation of Australia's wheat-breeding efforts, strengthening its national and commercial focus.  He was influential in advocating and developing this new focus, initially for wheat and subsequently for barley and pulse breeding.  This is now facilitating more cost-effective and efficient grains research and development that has increased grain industry profits.

Dr Enright has served in a number of Agricultural related positions including a commissioner of the Export Wheat Commission, a member of the standing committee on national research priorities and member of the panel to conduct an independent review of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research ( ACIAR ) in 2012.

He is an Independent Director of the Australian Livestock Export Corporation (Livecorp), Director of Grain Producers Australia, Chair of the Western Australian Crawford Fund Committee and a member of the Board of Directors.

In 2008 Dr Enright was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science in Agriculture from UWA.

Professor Johnson also acknowledged outgoing chair Bruce Piper who has overseen the re-establishment of the UWA Institute of Agriculture since 2007.

"The re-establishment of the UWA Institute of Agriculture in 2007 was a critical step, and Mr Piper's work as Chairman with the Industry Advisory Board has been a part of building the University's reputation in the field.  The ranking of the University in the world's top 100, and the life science ranking of 26 in the world, is partly attributable to the Institute's achievements and the guidance provided by its External Advisory Board," Professor Johnson said.

The teaching of agriculture was established formally at UWA in 1936, and the Institute of Agriculture was first established in 1938 to provide the critical research facilities and staff essential for the effective training of professional agricultural graduates, and the teaching of research at post-graduate level.

Media references

Winthrop Professor Kadambot Siddique (UWA Institute of Agriculture)  (+61 8)  6488 7012  /  (+61 4) 11 155 396
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783