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The University of Western Australia’s Institute of Agriculture has launched a new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), on discovering best practice farming for a sustainable 2050.

The MOOC, Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050 , uses the foundations of UWA’s Future Farm 2050 Project to introduce online students to sustainable agriculture and the many different disciplines needed to tackle the issue of feeding and clothing the world while maintaining the natural resource base.

Future Farm 2050 Project Leader Professor Graeme Martin from UWA’s School of Agriculture and Environment and Institute of Agriculture said the seven week course is based on a clear vision: to imagine best practice farming for 2050, and start to implement these strategies now, while making sure it will still be profitable.

“At UWA, we’re doing just that with the Future Farm 2050 Project, set on a mixed-enterprise farm in Pingelly, Western Australia, and we want share and learn how others do the same in their part of the world,” Professor Martin said.

“Although this course is based on agriculture, it's not only about farming. It is a multi-disciplinary course that addresses a wide range of issues confronting the industry, including rural communities, rural infrastructure and conservation of biodiversity in agriculture.”

By completing this course, participants will understand that feeding and clothing humanity requires a multi-pronged approach and will be able to explain best practices of sustainable farming and apply them in new contexts.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Community and Engagement, Professor Kent Anderson, who officially launched the MOOC at UWA’s Centre for Education Futures yesterday, said in this digital age, the way we are learning is changing and online education is critical for universities.

“We no longer need to be seated in the same lecture theatre to learn and connect with passionate, like-minded individuals,” Professor Anderson said.

“The MOOC allows unlimited participation and open access via the web to connect with and educate individuals all around the world whilst also raising the international profile of The University of Western Australia.”

Enrolments for the MOOC are open until Saturday, 21October. It is then scheduled to run every four weeks. To sign up to the course or find more information, visit www.coursera.org/learn/best-practice-farming-sustainable-2050

Media references

Professor Graeme Martin (Future Farm 2050 Project Leader, The UWA Institute of Agriculture)

(+61 8) 6488 6781 / (+61 4 08 951 052

Diana Boykett (Communications Officer, The UWA Institute of Agriculture)

(+61 8) 6488 3756 / (+61 4) 04 152 262