15 March 2002 Rural revival matched by Lincoln University enrolments

New student enrolments at Lincoln University this year reflect the widely reported revival of optimism in the rural sector, says Assistant Vice­ Chancellor (Academic Services) Roger Smyth.

"First year enrolments in our Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree are up 18 percent on last year, and first year enrolments in the whole cluster of degrees related to land-based production, covering agriculture, horticulture, viticulture and oenology and science, are up 12 percent on last year.

"The two commerce degrees connected with land-based production – B.Com.(Agricultural) and B.Com.(Horticultural) – as a group are up by 22 percent on last year.

"With our Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology degree, first year enrolments are up 10 percent."

University liaison officer Jane Edwards says that Lincoln's buoyant first year enrolments in agricultural and horticultural degrees match the high interest noted in school visits towards the end of last year.

"In Southland, for example, there was strong interest in dairying related qualifications, and this matches what we know about the growth of dairying in the South Island in recent times."

"It seems to be a similar situation too with viticulture and oenology qualifications and the wine industry."

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