Diving into aquaculture in Far North Queensland
JCU International Student Christian Gino is passionate about aquaculture and he believes upscaling the industry could be one of the keys to strengthening food security for the future.
Aiming to be at the forefront of the emerging industry, Christian has come from the Philippines to study a Master of Science (Professional) in Aquaculture Science and Technology. He plans to undertake relevant research upon returning home to contribute to and help ensure the sustainable growth of marine food production.
Read on to learn more as we sit down with Christian to talk about his studies, his life in Townsville and his career plans.
A postgraduate path
I completed my undergraduate degree in Marine Biology, but my interest has shifted to aquaculture in recent years because I believe there is immense potential in this area. Globally, our population is growing and there are many mouths to feed. A major source of quality protein comes from our oceans, but our wild fisheries stocks are declining.
I think aquaculture can be a big part of the solution, but it is intertwined with many challenges. We need to figure out how we can sustainably upscale production. We also face challenges with diseases. Aquaculture has so much potential for growth, with exciting job opportunities and new technologies improving productivity every day – I want to be part of that.
If you are interested in marine science you have probably heard about JCU. I had been aware of this university for some time as JCU has an excellent global reputation when it comes to tropical marine science and, of course, tropical aquaculture. Being from the Philippines, I also wanted to further my education somewhere tropical to ensure my knowledge can be transferred to my country.
I am here through the Australia Awards scholarship. As soon as I was told that my scholarship application was successful, I had my sights set on JCU. The research that is happening here is groundbreaking, and the teaching staff are among the world’s best – they are so credible and knowledgeable in their field. JCU also has vast industry connections, and we do many field trips, which I think is essential. These field trips ensure we as students know how the industry works in the real world because that’s where we’ll be after we graduate. Additionally, the laboratory practicals are fun and designed to reinforce our learnings from the lectures.
I’m really enjoying my studies. The more I delve into the subjects, the more fascinated and interested I become. I have so much to learn, and I feel very motivated to study hard.
This scholarship is highly sought after and is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The awards aim to contribute to the development needs of Australia’s partner countries, like my country the Philippines. The scholarship provides financial support, enabling me to live here in Australia while I study. I can build on my education and achieve my goal of taking that knowledge back to my country to contribute to the development of aquaculture there.
While I am learning, I am always thinking ‘how can I bring this knowledge back to the Philippines’? I have many ideas for projects that I hope to implement when I return home.
Building vital connections
Like the Philippines, Townsville is a tropical environment so there are a lot of similarities in terms of climate and also coastal settings. I have been blessed with a wonderful support system here. All my housemates are Filipinos and they are also students, so we support and understand each other. Our landlords are Filipino and they look after us like a second set of parents, checking how we did in our exams and looking out for us.
Christian's advice for future students
We need more people to consider this career pathway. We are going to have more mouths to feed and there aren’t enough of us currently working in the field. If aquaculture interests you, if you are curious about it, I would say it’s a fascinating field of study. There are plenty of jobs here in Australia and JCU graduates are highly regarded by the industry.
I find being organised is a key to study success. Our subject outlines are given prior to classes starting, so you know the dates of assessments and the exams. I put everything in my calendar and make sure I’m on top of the work in advance. Take advantage of the university’s support systems, like the Learning Centre and peer assisted study sessions. There are a lot of free services – all you have to do is utilise them.
Assessments can seem overwhelming, but don’t leave everything until the last minute. If you just enjoy the process of learning, it will become easier. If you think it is going to be hard then it will be hard – your mind is already fixed.
You're ready to take a leap
Looking for a new direction? Keen to expand your knowledge and skills in a unique tropical location? Then becoming an International Student at JCU could be for you.
Whether you're scientifically-minded like Christian, or are looking for opportunities in business, public health, education and more, JCU has courses designed to equip you for a dynamic career.
Scholarships at JCU
JCU has a range of scholarships available to international students. We also work with external organisations who offer scholarships to international students seeking to study with us.
Discover what funding or support may be available to you by exploring our Scholarships page. If you have a question about your specific circumstances, reach out to our International Team who are always happy to assist you with your enquiry.