ISHS Acta Horticulturae 350: I International Symposium on Education and Training in Horticulture
PREFACE |
| Author: | P.G.R. Dixon |
| Abstract:
Horticulture is a corner-stone discipline integrating studies in science, economics, engineering, management, design, literature, history and art. Applications of the subject involve crop production, rural, sub-urban and urban environmental aspects and a widening appreciation of the sociological impact of plants. Few strands of human activity remain untouched by the horticulturist. These widespread implications and impact impose particular responsibilities on teachers of horticulture to ensure that their students receive a wide perspective and far-sighted vision of their subject. Vocationally students of horticulture require specialised preparation for careers ranging from molecular plant biology through industrial crop husbandry to urban and rural landscape design, protection of the environment and conservation. Of equal importance with the needs for specialist knowledge are fundamental responsibilities to ensure that education broadens, excites, interests and stimulates student intellects encouraging thinking beyond the immediate problem and an appreciation of wider and deeper perspectives. The Education Commission of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) began to consider some of these issues at the 1990 Congress in Florence, Italy. Rapidly, however, it was apparent that there was amply sufficient scope for a full Symposium considering Horticultural Education and Training. As a result the First ISHS Symposium in Education and Training became a reality at the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) Auchincruive, Ayr, KA6 5HW, Scotland, UK for the period 13–17 July 1992. This volume contains the papers and posters submitted to that Symposium. The historic rural campus of SAC Auchincruive is set in rolling countryside alongside the river Ayr. At the heart of the campus in Oswald Hall built in 1767 by Robert Adam for the Oswald family who were merchant traders and were appointed as independent arbiters to the Peace Treaty which terminated the American War of Independence (1783). Surrounding the Hall are modern teaching and research facilities catering for an expanding range of activities of a national and international character related land based industries. SAC has three major centres in Scotland at Aberdeen, Auchincruive and Edinburgh providing services of a similar format to the America Land Grant College concept whereby education, research and advisory/consultancy responsibilities are carried by a single organisation. There are also twenty regional sub-centres which offer direct agricultural and veterinary support to farmers and growers. The annual turnover of SAC exceeds T40 million and the College employs in excess of 1000 staff. The ISHS was represented at the Symposium by Dr Michael Nichols, Chairman of the Education and Training Commission, from the Department of Plant Science, Massey University, New Zealand. At the Inaugural Session, Professor P C Thomas (Principal and Chief Executive of SAC) welcomed Dr Nichols and Symposium members stressing the expanding opportunities for horticultural graduates, the importance of providing high quality education and training for horticultural students and the roles which horticulturists play in the economic and cultural welfare of their communities. Addresses supporting the valuable contributions of horticulture to Local and Regional developments in Scotland were made by Mr William Perry, Vice-Convenor of Strathclyde Regional Council and Mr Gibson Macdonald, Provost of Kyle and Carrick District Council. Symposium organisers arranged a mixture of plenary and concurrent Sessions, which allowed for the widest possible spread of interests and involvement. Subject areas included: world-wide provision of horticultural education, progression and articulation, environmental education, studies in soil science, the career market, technology transfer, training requirements for plant protection in temperate and tropical countries, the roles of botanic gardens and the use of plant tissue culture as a teaching aid. Over 100 delegates participated in this symposium travelling from more than 20 countries around the world. The Symposium was commemorated by the formal planting of a Macedonian Oak (Quercus trojana) in the Auchincruive Arboretum.
Hospitality was provided each evening by the Local and Regional Authorities and by Morrison Bowmore Whisky Distillers.
Delegates visited centres of local horticultural interest including a tour of 5 hectares of tomatoes produced by hydroponic methods in the Clyde Valley, Glasgow Botanic Garden (founded in 1871) and Culzean Castle (founded in the 14th century and remodelled in 1772 by Robert Adam). At the final Plenary Session, Professor H Bochow (von Humbolt University, Berlin) offered to convene a Second Symposium in Germany in 1996. Warm thanks for a fruitful and convivial meeting were extended to the Organising Committee, Chairman Professor G R Dixon and to the Symposium Secretary Mr G M Hitchon. | |
