Australia’s Chief Scientist acknowledges that 70% of jobs in the future will require employees to have related skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
To complement this trend, Griffith University’s Sciences faculty, in south-east Queensland has reinvigorated its study offering through a unique suite of double degrees that are sure to appeal to Darwin high school students looking to gain a more comprehensive qualification advantage.
Interested locals will have the opportunity to discuss these options at the Novotel Darwin next Tuesday (29 August), when Griffith Sciences ventures interstate as part of its inaugural ‘Future-proof your career, The Griffith STEM Roadshow’.
A provision for acquiring diverse knowledge and skillsets is enhanced by the opportunity to establish and develop professional industry relationships through Griffith’s distinctive Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and Industry Affiliates Programs (IAP).
Among eight new degree programs being offered, are a world and Australian first Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Bachelor of Aviation combination, a complementary Bachelor of Environmental Sciences/ Bachelor of Business degree, plus an exciting initiative which explores the practical implications of drones in the newly created Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Electronics and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles engineering degree.
Further offerings in the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Civil and Architectural engineering, plus well-established degrees such as the Bachelor of Information Technology, Bachelor of Engineering Science, Bachelor of Engineering Honours, Bachelor of Environmental Science and the Bachelor of Science are programs not offered within the Northern Territory tertiary sector.
“Our degree programs are developed in consultation with industry partners to ensure our graduates have the knowledge and skills the industry wants and needs,” said Griffith’s Pro Vice Chancellor (Sciences) Professor Andrew Smith.
“This can be seen by our recently acquired number two national status among publicly funded universities within the Australian Government’s Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) survey.
“In particular, our status is well above the national average in architecture, science and maths, which should instil added confidence among our future students.
With the blanketed and varied uses of computers in our everyday professional and personal lives, these programs are bound to draw a lot of attention.
‘The Griffith STEM Roadshow’ initiative has so far stretched into regional centres up and down Australia’s east coast from Lismore in northern New South Wales and up as far as Cairns, while also visiting students and families in Rockhampton, Mackay, the Darling Downs and Ipswich over the past six weeks.
“With the continued acceleration in scientific discovery, coupled with the ongoing impact of technological disruption, means individuals with STEM skills will have an advantage in the highly competitive job market,” added Professor Smith.
The Good Education Group (May, 2016) supports this notion, suggesting STEM graduates are in greater demand as they have more specialised and transferable skills within the workplace, yet fewer people are pursuing such careers across the scientific fields.
“We encourage our students to diversify their knowledge base and skillset through double degrees in, or outside the STEM fields. Our experiential learning teaching methods coupled with industry placements and work integrated learning opportunities equip our students with employability skills such as problem solving, creative thinking and team work, which are highly sought after among employers.”
“Our new trimester model provides students with flexibility to accelerate or decelerate their programs or undertake a global learning experience through an overseas internship, study or exchange program.
“What it adds up to is a robust and relevant educational environment.”
‘Future-proof your career, The Griffith STEM Roadshow’ is a free event running from 5pm at Novotel Darwin with pre-registrations encouraged online at https://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-sciences/outreach/sciences-roadshow
Numerous research and teaching academics will be available to discuss the multitude of program study options available, and highlight some of the many achievements and milestones of Griffith Sciences students.
New undergraduate degree programs at Griffith Sciences in 2018
Bachelor of Computer Science
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Electronics and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles engineering
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Civil and Architectural engineering
Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Electronic and Computer Engineering
New undergraduate double degrees
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Bachelor of Computer Science
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) majoring in Mechanical Engineering/ Bachelor of Industrial Design
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Bachelor of Aviation
Bachelor of Environmental Sciences/ Bachelor of Business