Don't let your children study arts at university - make them do science instead.

That's the advice from a prominent agricultural science professor who says if parents want their  children to be happy they should be guiding them into careers in science, agriculture and agribusiness.

Professor Jacqueline Rowarth, CNZM, who will have her inaugural professorial lecture at Waikato University later this month, says putting down roots and farming was the dawn of civilisation, but now people have lost their way.

"We’ve reached the pinnacle of food security and thanks to better health programmes and medical advances the world’s had a population explosion,’’ Prof Rowarth says.

"It seems to me that in a time of plenty, arts and culture have thrived, but we’ve lost our way with science.’’

She says science and agribusiness graduates are being offered salary packages of approximately $70,000, far more than many arts graduates.

"I’m not saying ignore arts and culture – I’m just advocating that we feed the soul outside work hours, because we need science and scientific research to keep our economy growing.

"We all want our children to be happy: that means encouraging them in to careers where they will be valued and can make a difference.’’

What do you think? See tomorrow’s Waikato Times for more about what Prof Rowarth has to say.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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