7 September 1994 Professor to Examine Role of Soil Science in a Changing World

Eroded public acceptance of scientific principles and methods and the drastic restructuring of science organisations has led to rapid and unprecedented changes in science in New Zealand, says Lincoln University Soil Science Professor, Kuan Goh.

Against this background of a fast altering environment for science, Professor Goh will try to predict future trends and directions for his specialist area, Soil Science, when he delivers an Inaugural Lecture at Lincoln University on 27 September.

Professor Goh, who holds a Personal Chair in Soil Science at Lincoln, has entitled his Inaugural Lecture "Soil Science and its Role in a Changing World - Production or Pollution?"

The lecture will be both scientific and "down to earth", says Professor Goh. It will be wide ranging and topics will include aspects of soil as a productive plant growth medium and soil as a source and sink for carbon and greenhouse gases, plus global warming, carbon tax, urban sprawl and sustainable agriculture.

There will be something for everyone, he says, and the address promises to be stimulating, informative, innovative, controversial and entertaining.

Professor Goh is internationally recognised for his extensive published work on soil organic matter, soil fertility and plant nutrition. He is the author of more than 200 publications, consisting of 10 books, 150 refereed scientific papers and numerous technical communications.

He is also a recognised consultant both nationally and internationally and has been involved in World Bank programmes overseas plus fertiliser and land use dispute litigation in New Zealand.

He has been a Visiting Lecturer in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, People's Republic of China, Malaysia and Australia. Currently he is the External Examiner and Adviser to the University of Agriculture, University Pertanian, Malaysia, for a period of three years.

Professor Goh is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry and in the course of his career has received many awards including a Fulbright Scholarship, ANZAC Fellowship, Colombo Plan Scholarship and Senior University Scholarship.

In addition to his scientific work, Professor Goh is actively involved in community affairs. He is a Justice of the Peace, Marriage Celebrant, and has been a Member of the JP Court Panel of the Christchurch District Courts since 1982.

He was the Foundation President of the NZ Federation of Ethnic Councils and is the past Chairperson of the Christchurch Ethnic Council.

Professor Goh's Inaugural Lecture will be given in the Stewart Building's S1 Lecture Theatre at Lincoln University on 27 September, starting at 5.30pm. Members of the public wishing to attend should contact Lincoln University's Community Relations Centre.

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