Development, implementation and evaluation of a hub and spoke multi-institutional national model to tertiary education in sheep and wool science

Abstract

<p><i><b>Context.</b></i> The sheep and wool industry is an important and established primary production entity for Australia. Specialised tertiary education in the field of sheep and wool is pivotal to the advancement of the industry. Sheep and wool education has evolved over time synchronously with changes in the presentation of tertiary teaching. The face-toface teaching and 4-year specialised degree in animal and wool science has now developed into an online learning system, with individual units made available to students across the country. This is delivered using a hub institute, University of New England and spoke universities across Australia.</p> <p><i><b>Aims.</b></i> The study evaluated the development and delivery of the hub and spoke method of tertiary education in sheep and wool science.</p> <p><i><b>Methods.</b></i> The data for this study comprised routine information gathered during university enrolment and specific student survey data from two questionnaires. The first questionnaire was an annual (2010–2017) survey of enrolled students (<i>n</i> = 289) and the second questionnaire was a survey of graduates from 2012 to 2015 (<i>n</i> = 128) from sheep and wool science.</p> <p><i><b>Key results.</b></i> Student numbers studying sheep and wool science in the hub and spoke program have increased three and a half fold in 10 years. The employment success of students studying the sheep and wool units is over 50%.</p> <p><i><b>Conclusions.</b></i> Utilising a hub and spoke model for online education delivery allows one university to specialise in a specific curriculum that can be offered across multi-institutions.</p> <p><i><b>Implications.</b></i> The tertiary training package, developed by the sheep and wool industry, has provided an estimated 400 graduates into the industry in 10 years.</p>