11 December 1996 Lincoln University – an introduction

Lincoln University is located 20 kilometres south of Christchurch, the largest city (population 330,000) in New Zealand's South Island. It is one of seven state-owned universities in New Zealand.

Lincoln is easily accessible by public transport from central Christchurch, is handy to Christchurch International Airport, and is close to State Highway 1.

The University, which now has a roll of 4100 students, began life in 1878 as a School of Agriculture governed by Canterbury University College (now the University of Canterbury).

In 1896 it became Canterbury Agricultural College and remained under that name until 1961 when it became Lincoln College, a constituent college of the University of Canterbury.

In 1990 it became an independent and autonomous university – Lincoln University.

The campus is located 1.5 kilometres from the village of Lincoln (population 1700) which has a range of shops and service facilities.

Close to the University are the Canterbury Agricultural and Science Centre (home of a number of Crown Research Institutes related to agriculture and land use) and the national headquarters of the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand.

Although Lincoln had its origins as a specialist institution for agricultural education, it is now more broadly based. Its areas of teaching and research are defined in its Charter as – commerce and management; primary production and natural resources; science and engineering; social sciences.

Approximately one-third of the University's New Zealand students come from the North Island, one-third from Christchurch and one-third from other parts of the South Island.

International students make up 19 percent of the total roll with over 45 different countries represented. Malaysia provides the largest single source of international students.

There is accommodation of campus for 640, with 528 accommodated in halls of residence and 112 in senior flats. There are also 10 family units available.

Lincoln's academic year is made up of two semesters, covering 32 weeks. Examinations are held at the end of each semester. Students may enter the University and begin courses in either February or July, corresponding with the start of each semester.

Most courses have up to 40 percent continuous assessment; many courses have pre­ requisites; many courses require a period of approved practical work.

The 50-hectare campus is beautifully gardened with trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns and is regarded as one of the most attractive university settings in New Zealand.

On campus facilities include a recreation centre, swimming pool, tennis courts, and sports fields.

The heart of the campus is Ivey Hall, which houses the University Library. Ivey Hall, dating from 1878, was the original School of Agriculture building. The interior was modernised in the 1980s to convert it into a library.

Lincoln University operates five farms (totalling 3260 hectares) and a horticulture research area.

The University offers degree and diploma programmes in the areas of Agricultural Science; Horticultural Science; Agriculture; Horticulture; Commerce and Management (with specialisations in Accounting, Applied Computing, Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, Financial Management, Urban Property); Commerce (with specialisations in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Transport, Tourism, Hotel & Institutional Management, Valuation and Property Management, and Manufacturing and Technology Management); Applied Computing; Maori Studies; Social Science; Natural Resources Engineering; Resource Studies; Landscape Architecture; Wool Technology; Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management; Applied Science; Viticulture and Oenology; Science; Property Studies; Agricultural Engineering. Certificates in Wool, Agriculture and Horticulture are also offered.

Lincoln is the only university in New Zealand to offer degrees in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management and Landscape Architecture. It is also the only university to offer postgraduate qualifications in viticulture and wine science.

The University has 240 academic staff grouped in 15 academic departments and centres, and over 300 non-academic staff.

The Chancellor of Lincoln University is Mr Malcolm Cameron of Wellington and the Vice-Chancellor is Dr Frank Wood.