The Secretary of State for Scotland received a warm welcome from Lincoln University staff when he visited campus last week, with fellow Scotsman Professor Keith Cameron donning his traditional Scottish kilt for the occasion.
The Rt Hon David Mundell was at Lincoln as part of a trip around the country to explore potential opportunities for collaboration between New Zealand and the UK after Brexit.
He and his delegation met with Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha, then visited Lincoln’s Ashley Dene Research Development Station.
He heard from Assistant Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards, as well as Professor Cameron, and Lincoln Agritech’s Dr Blair Miller, about some of the exciting innovations they have developed in recent years.
One project that attracted particular attention was ClearTech, a new treatment system for dairy farm effluent, which was developed in collaboration with Ravensdown and is designed to treat and recyle water at the dairy shed, thereby saving freshwater.
Professor Cameron said the visit proved “very positive”.
“The delegation were really interested in the science and technology development that we do at Lincoln University and Lincoln Agritech, because the UK and New Zealand share similar challenges in terms of sustainable production and environmental protection.
“The British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Laura Clarke, was part of the delegation and complimented the university and Lincoln Agritech on the science and innovation that is being conducted.
“We all look forward to potential future collaborations in science and innovation between New Zealand and the UK.”