About the AARC
The Australasian Agribusiness Research Centre (AARC) formally started its operation in January 1996 (previously known as the Asian Agribusiness Research Centre).
The AARC was established to assist Australian rural industries, rural businesses and governments in their understanding of the potential for agribusiness trade with Asian countries and in the improvement of Australia's trade performance in the Asian markets.
The AARC has the following major objectives:
- To promote and carry out research activities related to Australasian agribusiness with a view of providing consultancy and service to Australian government departments, the business community, and the wider agribusiness sector in relation to the production and export of Australian agricultural products.
- To increase, through the AARC's information dissemination activities, awareness within the Australian agribusiness sector of trends and developments in the agribusiness sector of the Asian region, leading to possible business opportunities in these markets.
- To contribute to the University's undergraduate agribusiness education programs.
- To provide a centre for the development of Asian agribusiness-related postgraduate research programs within the University.
To achieve its objectives, the AARC accordingly carries out activities in four major areas including research, information dissemination, service and consultancy, and agribusiness education.
The AARC has introduced several programs to encourage research into Asian agribusiness. Amongst its initiatives are:
- An international visiting scholar scheme
- Joint international collaborative research
- AARC Working Paper Series
- AARC Occasional Paper Series
- Assistance to members for their own research and for activities related to the work of the Centre.
Individuals from both within and outside Charles Sturt University and the University of Sydney, within and outside Australia, who have an interest in Australasian agribusiness, are most welcome to make inquiries about the Centre's work.
For more information about the Centre, please contact the AARC Director on phone (02) 6365 7119 or email: kbehrendt@csu.edu.au.