11 May 2001 Geraldine student among first of NZ dairying scholarship winners

Lincoln University agricultural commerce student Guy Metcalf from Geraldine joined eight other undergraduates today (11.5.01) in receiving the first of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Scholarships for studies in dairying and related areas.

The scholarships were presented at Lincoln University by Dr Rob Pringle of Hamilton, CEO of the dairy industry's centre of excellence, Dexcel Ltd.

Earlier this year the Dairy Board announced the establishment of an academic scholarship programme to support education within the flourishing dairy industry. Fifteen scholarships are being awarded this year - nine to Lincoln students and six to students at Massey University.

Guy, son of Bob and Nikki Metcalf who farm near Geraldine, is a first year Bachelor of Commerce (Agricultural) student at Lincoln.

The other scholarship winners at Lincoln are Gary Breen, Elliot Scott and John McPhail all of Southland, Mark Ludemann of Kakanui, Annabel Macartney of Tai Tapu, Christchurch, Amy Lucas of Masterton, Gregory Petersen of Otaki and Christopher Will of Palmerston North.

The 15 Lincoln and Massey winners were selected from 55 candidates for the awards.

The scholarships apply to bachelors degrees with  dairying related connections and they are tenable for up to four years with a value of $3500 for year one and $5000 p.a. for years two, three and four.

"The scholarships are an expression of the dairy industry's commitment to the development of dairying in New Zealand," says Dr Pringle.

"The students awarded the scholarships today will have an opportunity to work in New Zealand's largest single industry and contribute to an activity that is leading the export growth of the New Zealand economy."

Dexcel, the dairy industry's centre of excellence headed by Dr Pringle, exists to coordinate and promote dairy research, extension and education to help the industry achieve, in a sustainable way, its target of a 4 percent increase in productivity per annum.

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