Insect bites
Dear Editor,
As a professional entomologist with more than 36 years’ of experience in applied research with CSIRO, in academia and in government, a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society of London (FRES) and Adjunct Associate Professor with La Trobe University, I am writing to voice my strongest concern about the purported training opportunities provided by The National Institute of Entomology (hereafter the NIOE).
The story “Insect Institute Chooses Kilmore” (09/06/2026) in The North Central Review concerned me because Bert Candusio is quoted as saying that the NIOE ‘“will become the only facility in the country that “specialises in delivering entomological-based courses”, and with roughly 180 students already on standby, it has the capacity to grow even further.”’ and ‘“They [Shire of Mitchell] saw the fact that we would be bringing in not only national students, but international students as well.”’
Your readership, and especially any potential students, should be aware that the NIOE is not a tertiary accredited entomological training provider. Under Australian law, accredited tertiary institutions (i.e., those offering bachelor’s degrees, diplomas and graduate diplomas) are recognised by their TEQSA Number, which should be displayed on their website homepage and all official correspondence. It is possible to check the accreditation of any purported training provider via this website www.teqsa.gov.au/students/checking-provider-registration-or-course-accreditation
Enrolling with accredited providers ensures confidence in adequate facilities and access to teaching staff who have the qualifications and experience required to meet Australian Government standards of quality, safety and scientific accuracy. Certifications from non-accredited providers cannot be used for advanced standing when enrolling at accredited institutions and may not be recognised by employers.
Persons claiming to hold a higher degree (e.g. a PhD, and hence justified to use the title “Dr”, which is the minimum qualification for university teaching), and to be undertaking specific “research programs”, should be able to refer an interested student or other party to websites that will substantiate any of their claims. For example, the fact that I hold a PhD can be verified by searching for my dissertation (or thesis) at the University where I studied, namely the University of Tasmania. The outputs of my research are documented in my refereed scientific articles which can be viewed on readily accessible platforms such as Google Scholar. I can also refer interested persons to my social media where I outline the entirety of my career. This is the evidence by which students have contacted me as a person who can further their training and research experiences.
While it is ultimately a student’s responsibility to check whether a training provider is accredited and/or registered with a recognised authority, the media also has a responsibility to check the claims of interviewees to protect those who might assume that such public attention demonstrates their credentials and experience. In the information-age, there really is no excuse for a lack of basic fact checking.
Dr. Martin J. Steinbauer FRES
