10 October 1994 Exciting New Era in Horticulture at Lincoln

Horticultural teaching at Lincoln University is poised at the start of an exciting new era, say senior staff members Graham Thiele, Richard Stevens and Mandy Cahn.

They point out that over the past few months Lincoln’s horticultural degrees and diplomas have been reviewed and strengthened in an on-going process to keep them relevant to the expectations of employers and students and to job market needs.

"Furthermore, horticulture teaching staff have been re-positioned in departments more appropriate to their individual strengths and specialisations.

"For example, horticultural management specialists have joined an expanded and renamed Department of Farm and Horticultural Management and the plant growth and production specialists have joined the Department of Plant Science."

The horticultural qualifications offered by Lincoln University include Bachelor of Horticultural Science, Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture), Diploma of Horticultural Management, Diploma in Parks and Garden Technology and the postgraduate Diploma in Horticultural Science.

"Through the horticultural science and commerce degrees, study can advance to masterate and doctorate levels. A key attraction of the undergraduate diplomas is that they are university-level qualifications, thus giving those holding them a competitive edge over those with diplomas from other types of institution."

Two important and popular specialisations available through the Diploma in Horticultural Science programme are Wine Science and Biological Husbandry and these are valuable specialisations for those planning to work in the wine industry or in the area of organic food production.

"Horticulture staff at Lincoln have led the way in New Zealand in both these fields and as a result the University has a high and well-deserved reputation for expertise.

"Combined with our activities in the areas of fruit, vegetable, and floriculture production, ornamentals, amenity horticulture and horticultural business management, Lincoln has a solid reputation in a wide range of horticultural fields.

"All this means that Lincoln University continues its commitment to horticultural teaching and research with both a national and international perspective."

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.