Graduations are always a special time for us at GFAR. We love to see our students celebrating the achievements and success of their years of hard work whether they are graduating from our Master’s or PhD program. Last week we celebrated the achievements of 13 such graduates, 11 from our flagship Master of Global Food and Agricultural Business (MGFAB) program and 2 from our PhD program.

GFAR Master’s graduates with Prof. Wendy Umberger, Dr. Alexandra Peralta and Prof. Sarah Wheeler

Some of our students expressed their views on the experience of studying at GFAR and The University of Adelaide

Yohanna Handjaja – Master of Global Food and Agricultural Business (MGFAB) graduate

Yohanna Handjaja – Master of Global Food and Agricultural Business (MGFAB)

“I am very grateful to be a Master of Global Food and Agribusiness graduate! I have enjoyed studying here and the opportunity to build real connections among the GFAR team, classmates, lecturers and local businesses as well as enhancing my knowledge. The professors have deep understanding and broad experiences, which are relevant and important to this sector. We not only learn in theoretical way but also in a practical way. The most valuable thing was the opportunity to undertake an internship with a local company to apply my knowledge and experiences for my research project.”

Zamir Dibirov – Master of Global Food and Agricultural Business (MGFAB) graduate

Zamir Dibirov – Master of Global Food and Agricultural Business (MGFAB)

“This program gave me deep knowledge about government policies in the agricultural sector and developed my research skills regarding agribusiness particularly in relation to the food supply chain. I can definitely say each course makes your goals accessible to you.”

PhD graduates Claire Settre and Rio Maligalig with their respective supervisors Prof. Sarah Wheeler and Prof. Wendy Umberger

Dr. Rio Maligalig – PhD  for a thesis entitled: “Eliciting farmer preferences for rice varietal trait improvements using an experimental methodology based on investment games”. 

“Doing my PhD at GFAR was a great experience. It gave me the opportunity to work with and be mentored by some of the most brilliant minds in the field of agricultural and food economics. My supervisors Prof. Wendy Umberger and Dr. Alexandra Peralta  (also Dr Matty Demont from IRRI) were extremely supportive and helpful throughout my PhD journey. Another great thing in doing PhD at GFAR is that I was able to share my experience with a large group of GFAR PhD students, who became my good friends as well. Having friends within the Centre made the experience more enjoyable and one of the best parts of my PhD journey.”

Dr. Claire Settre  – PhD  for a thesis entitled: “Exploring the use of water markets for improved environmental outcomes”.

“I completed my PhD at GFAR in the field of environmental and water economics. The past few years have opened my eyes wide to the challenges and rewards of academic life. Some of my most treasured memories of the last few years are doing my data collection in the United States and Mexico for my PhD as part of an Endeavour fellowship. Although the PhD was hard, I am so happy I stuck to it and completed. Writing and finishing the thesis taught me not only about my research field, but also about myself and what I am capable of.”

We would like to wish all of our new graduates heartiest congratulations and the best for their future!