20 March 1992 Lincoln to Establish Chair in Transport Studies

Lincoln University is to establish a professorial chair in Transport Studies, and is now seeking sponsorship for the post.

Announcing the proposal at a reception for Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands this afternoon (Friday 20 March), Lincoln's Vice-Chancellor Professor Bruce Ross said that New Zealand's geographical location made transport very important to the economy but surprisingly there were few university courses in the subject, outside transport engineering.

"Lincoln's proposed degree will focus on transport economics and policy," he said. "It will be a Commerce qualification emphasising transport."

In his address to Queen Beatrix and her party, Professor Ross confirmed Lincoln's commitment to maintaining an international position in agricultural and natural resources teaching.

He said many students came to New Zealand from overseas to seek higher qualifications in agriculture, realising that New Zealand's status as a world class agricultural producer indicated that there was much to be learned about agricultural science here.

He told Her Majesty of many "firsts" achieved by Lincoln researchers including the production of New Zealand's first transgenic animal and first transgenic sheep. The scientific team responsible for this work was introduced to the Queen and she viewed a transgenic lamb.

In addition she visited Lincoln's Deer Research Unit, and also viewed a sheep dog demonstration.

Queen Beatrix spent two hours at the University, lunched there, and met staff and students with Dutch connections.

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