11 May 2001 Lincoln students from Gore area among first NZ dairying scholarship winners

Three Gore agricultural science students at Lincoln University are today (11.5.01) among a group of nine undergraduates receiving the first of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Scholarships for studies in dairying and related areas.

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.

The first awards are being made at Lincoln University today (11 May) by Dr Rob Pringle, CEO of the dairy industry's centre of excellence, Dexcel Ltd.

The Southland recipients are fourth year B.Agr.Sc (Hons) students Gary Breen of McNab and Elliot Scott of Pukerau and first year B.Agr.Sc. student John McPhail of Benio.

The other scholarship winners at Lincoln are Mark Ludemann of Oamaru, Guy Metcalf  of Geraldine, 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.