Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2007/'Failure rates lower at ADFA'
By Graham Davis
Failure rates at the Australian Defence Force Academy are half what they are in other universities, ADFA's Rector Professor John Baird said in Brisbane late last year.
In addition, any student who is falling behind gets special support, he said.
Professor Baird made the remarks when addressing 70 prospective ADFA cadets, their parents, grandparents and siblings who attended a "getting to know you" morning tea at Victoria Barracks/ Brisbane in November.
Organised by Defence Force Recruiting South East Queensland the function attracted 150 people.
Its aim was to introduce senior members of ADFA's staff and to allow students and their parents to ask questions about the academy and their future.
Defence Recruiting had held similar functions in Perth and Adelaide and plans to hold more in other cities this year.
Introduced to the students and parents were the academy's Commandant BRIG Brian Dawson, its Rector Professor Baird and its student recruitment manager Mark Priddle.
BRIG Dawson described ADFA as being in "the future leaders production business."
He warned the students they would go through periods of apprehension "before you get on the bus."
"But here's the deal..You can get in 30 years two 'masters' and a 'bachelors'.
"There are great opportunities there for the taking.
"I wish you all the best," he said.
Professor Baird said ADFA is a college of the University of NSW and "well funded by Defence".
Other universities had a ratio of one academic to 25 students.
"At ADFA there is one academic to nine students," he said. "Failure rates are half what they are in other universities."
Professor Baird pointed out that UNSW is a research university with many instructors at the top of their field and on the front line of research - factors, he said, which would enhance the training of Defence officer cadets.
