STIA EXPERIENCE

The Directors of STIA have each had between 3 and 4 decades of experience in the delivery of technical training in seed science and technology.

In that time technical training programs have been undertaken for

• several Universities in both Australia and New Zealand with undergraduate and post-graduate students
• international agencies including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the FAO and UNDP of the United Nations, the International Seed Testing Association and the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre.
• Government agencies in Australia, New Zealand and SE Asian countries, and
• a broad range of seed-related private enterprises in agricultural industries in Australia and New Zealand.

STIA TRAINING PROGRAMS

The focus for STIA’s training programs in the immediate future will concentrate on three principal areas of activity.

CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN SEED TESTING

The Certificate of Proficiency in Seed Testing program is designed to facilitate the development of a seed science and technology knowledge base for persons principally engaged in seed diagnostics enterprises.

This program, initiated in August 2005, is offered in a distance learning format which enables candidates to undertake studies in their own time without the formalities of fixed training protocols.

Two levels of candidature will be available, a Standard Course initially, to be followed by an Advanced Certificate Program beginning in 2007.

More details on the program content of the Standard Course is given in Certificate of Proficiency in Seed Testing.

SHORT COURSES

Seed Science and Technology Short Courses will continue to be offered by STIA, principally to personnel of seed-related industries.

Short Courses, in workshop format, have been given by STIA from mid-2002 in conjunction with the Queensland Seed Technology Laboratory at the University of Queensland campus at Gatton.

These programs concentrate on delivery of technical subjects in seed science and technology which constitute the basic working knowledge framework of individuals in the commercial sector of the sowing seed and other seed-related industries.

A draft of general topics to be covered can be viewed in Short Courses - General Program.

SPECIALISED TRAINING PROGRAMS

With its particular expertise in the broad technical area of seed science and technology STIA has the capability to target training programs for specific needs of individuals, commercial enterprises or government agencies.
For example, these areas could include

• Training in the operational provision of seed sampling technology for quarantine, seed quality management in inventory control, in seed processing operations and similar enterprises.
• Training in special areas of seed diagnostics for seed-related commercial enterprises, including such technology areas as seed indentification, seed vigour testing, seed moisture testing, viability (tetrazolium) testingand seed coating.

All specialized training programs, where specifically targeted are offered on a commercial consultancy basis.