Origin

The first CRC for Wool Industry Innovation (Sheep CRC), which operated from 2001-2007,  had a broad mandate, and was based around 4 project streams:

  • Strategic research into genetics, wool science, meat science and parasite management;
  • Precision production: an integrated meat and wool production system based on electronic measurement, management, and marketing of animals according to their individual merit;
  • Implementing innovation: delivering information to industry via communication, information and extension mechanisms; and
  • Education and training: delivering a dynamic program of education including postgraduate research, undergraduate education, vocational, school and industry training.

The educational modules available from Woolwise were developed during this CRC via the education and training stream. These resources are now owned by AWET and are licensed to the University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia. They are the basis for undergraduate degrees offered by the University. They are also made available to individuals who register on the site.

Accessing These Resources

Three levels of access are provided:

  • Visitor
  • Member
  • Educator

A Visitor is able to view the modules and topic synopses, but cannot access any of the module documents. To access the actual resources they must register and thereafter logon to the site for every session. Access is subject to acceptance of the Terms of Use acknowledgement of AWET’s Privacy Policy.

A Member is a registered user and is only able to access PDF versions of the resources. Member access is provided for anyone who accepts the terms of use and registers on the site.

An Educator is a registered user wishing to utilise these resources as research and/or reference materials. An Educator can access MsWord versions of the resources as well as PDF versions. Educator access is provided to appropriate registrants by the site Administrator. If you wish to have Educator access you must be a teacher or academic.

To register click on the Register button on the right hand side of the menu bar.

Security

A CAPTCHA is included on the registration and log in forms to prevent spambots creating false entries.

The site uses two factor authorisation. When you log on an authorisation code will be sent to your email address. Enter this in the field provided.

Whilst this may seem inconvenient it is necessary to protect the site from hackers and spambots.

Wool and Sheep Industry Education Modules

The resources or “modules” available are:

Undergraduate Sheep and Wool Education

UNE is the leading centre for the study of wool science in Australia with the most comprehensive range of sheep and wool units. These units cover all aspects of the wool supply chain from farm to fabric utilising these resource materials.

A total of 10 education modules are available, although not all of these are offered every year. Students can be enrolled directly at the University of New England or participate in the education modules offered by UNE via distance education.

UNE is in the heart of premium fine wool country and there is ready access to all the resources needed for teaching and research in sheep and wool science, including University rural properties and animal houses. Much of this research is conducted with UNE, CSIRO Livestock Industries and NSW DPI co-supervisors in the economics, genetics, biochemistry, nutrition, wool metrology and health areas.

Please visit the School of Environmental & Rural Science.

Obligations of AWET

In partnership with the Sheep CRC, Australian Wool Innovation, the Australian Meat and Livestock Association and the University of New England, the Australian Wool Education Trust provided funding for a comprehensive range of education modules to be developed and delivered by UNE. With the winding up of the Sheep CRC in 2007 the CRC and its core parties assigned the intellectual property associated with the Sheep and Wool Modules produced during the course of the CRC to the Trust. This Deed requires the Trust to make this Intellectual Property available to other organisations and individuals, but with some caveats.

The Assignment Deed requires AWET to use its reasonable endeavours to:

  1. ensure that the Modules are made available on a not-for-profit basis for education in the sheep and wool industry in Australia in a manner consistent with the objects of AWET; and
  2. ensure that the Modules are maintained and updated as AWET reasonably sees fit so as to remain useful to the sheep and wool education industry in Australia.

To comply with these obligations AWET has granted a licence to the Modules and the Module IP to the University of New England (UNE) for the purposes of conducting specific educational activities based on the Modules.  This arrangement is covered by the Assignment Deed.
In granting this licence AWET retained the right to Use the Licensed IP and to grant licences to third parties for any purpose, provided that where in the reasonable opinion of AWET there is a direct conflict between the proposed activities of a proposed third party and the activities of UNE, AWET must consult with UNE and will use its reasonable discretion in considering such grant to any other third party licensee.
Under the terms of the Assignment Deed AWET must on request:

  1. grant a licence to the Assigned IP and Improvement IP to the New CRC for Research Activities (including the right to sublicense to participants in the New CRC) on such reasonable terms as AWET sees fit;
  2. where reasonably appropriate, make the Modules, Module IP and related Improvement IP available on reasonable terms to any third party organisation within the sheep and wool education sector;
  3. AWET may make the Modules, the Module IP and related Improvement IP available to third parties outside the sheep and wool education sector and for purposes other than educational activities, if AWET in its sole discretion is satisfied that all consents and approvals necessary for such distribution have been obtained;
  4. AWET must not unreasonably decline to grant such a licence to any of the CRC Core Parties;
    If a party identifies appropriate opportunities to distribute any of the Modules or Module IP to any third party, the relevant party will promptly inform AWET in relation to such opportunity.
  5. Any licence to be granted by AWET is to be on a not-for-profit basis consistent with the objects of AWET.

Furthermore, under the terms of the Assignment Deed AWET must grant:

  1. to each of the CRC Core Parties a non-exclusive, world-wide, royalty-free licence to Use the Modules, Additional Materials and the Assigned IP for Research Activities, including the right to sublicense to third parties for Research Activities;
  2. to each of the Assignors other than the CRC Core Parties a non-exclusive, world-wide, royalty-free licence to Use their Assigned IP and the corresponding Modules and Additional Materials for Research Activities, including the right to sublicense to third parties for Research Activities; and
  3. to each of the Assignors a non-exclusive, world-wide, royalty-free licence to Use the Improvement IP created or developed by or on behalf of that Assignor for Research Activities, including the right to sublicense to third parties for Research Activities.