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Chinese tutor gains agricultural training insight at Taratahi
Li Renjun, a teacher at the Guizhou Animal Husbandry School (GAHS) in Guiyang, south-west China, completes nine weeks of agricultural training at Taratahi today, 27 October 2011. His study programme represents a milestone in the development of a long term strategy, managed by Taratahi and Massey University, to provide practical farm based training to key animal husbandry teachers from China.
During his time at Taratahi Renjun has focussed on understanding the Taratahi education delivery model and New Zealand farming practices. He particularly enjoyed the opportunity to work with sheep during his study programme, an animal he is unfamiliar with. He spent time drenching, injecting and docking at Taratahi’s Glenside farm, learnt to shear and was amazed at the speed and skill of tutors and students. Renjun also learnt basic milking, chainsaw and fencing skills, worked with deer, participated in workshop and classroom-based activities and spent a significant amount of time observing Taratahi tutors in action.
Alongside his time on-farm and at the Wairarapa Campus, Renjun also visited the Masterton Saleyards, local agricultural contractors and suppliers. He took some time out visiting Wellington, Palmerston North, Martinborough, the Hawke’s Bay Races, enjoyed the Rugby World Cup and spent social time with Taratahi staff and students.
Taratahi Education Support Manager Stephen Hannam arranged Renjun’s programme. “Li has been a pleasure to host. He has embraced every opportunity to learn about farming practice and to understand how we teach such a practical subject. In China students undertake mainly text-based study - how we teach shearing, milking, fencing and engineering has been extremely interesting to him. We have all taken something from the experience – having Li here has widened the horizons of both staff and students.”
Li graduated from Guizhou Agricultural College in 1997 and worked in rural Guizhou for five years. He completed a Veterinary Medicine Degree at Guizhou University in 2005 and qualified as a vet in 2010. He has a wife and an 8 year old son in Guizhou. He is looking forward to returning to his family but is sad to leave his new friends behind. “I have enjoyed every part of my visit, learning about New Zealand, farming and learning at Taratahi. The tutors here work hard but they are always patient with their guidance. I have enjoyed learning at Taratahi.”
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New Zealand and Guizhou have fostered a relationship spanning thirty years. The eventuation of tutor study programmes at Taratahi and Massey University will strengthen platforms for relationships in education and business.
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The Province of Guizhou is mountainous, subtropical and one of China’s poorest. Rice-growing is a primary agricultural activity; small herds of goats, pigs and some beef cattle are kept for food. Forestry, mining and electricity generation are important local industries.
Page last updated on: 22-02-2012
