Asia Pacific to benefit from Australian university program

06/05/2008 15:50:07

One of Austraila's leading universities -- Macquarie University in Sydney -- is going to make all undergraduates study sciences and humanities, as well as undertake volunteer work at home or in the Asia-Pacific.

Our reporter Meredith Griffiths says the university is making sweeping changes to its curriculum.

Macquarie's Vice Chancellor Steven Schwartz says current degree structures do not adequately prepare students for they future.

"They have to continually learn throughout their careers and to do that you need to be a fairly broadminded and open to experiences beyond just the natural vocational ones you've been taught, " he said.

He says the degrees that start in 2010 will produce more socially aware students.

The university has teamed up with Australian Volunteers International so students can fulfil their volunteering requirements in the Pacific, Asia or disadvantaged communities in Australia.

Last year Melbourne University announced it was overhauling its entire academic system so undergraduates would have to study a broader range of subjects.

Produced by Radio Australia and Australia Network