25 November 2008 'Critically important' water issue will benefit from million-dollar grant says Lincoln University Deputy-VC

“Water is a basic component of this country's bio-based economy. It is essential we manage this resource as optimally as we can,” he says.

Local authorities and businesses are desperate for more water management specialists and through this grant Lincoln University will be joining  with the University of Canterbury to set up a joint Chair in Water Resources Management to lead the work with authorities and industries to address specific skill shortages.

“That will be one of our joint prongs of attack,” says Dr Kirk. “We will also be boosting community education and encouraging water user organisations to work together more closely on sustainable water management.

“In addition we will be using the grant to help fund postgraduate research opportunities connected with water resource management. This will ensure that the universities continue to produce well qualified scientists with the appropriate skills and competencies to assist local authorities and industry with water management.”

Lincoln University's Professor of Environmental Management Ken Hughey says that having graduates with fundamental skills in water quantity and quality modelling, monitoring and statistical approaches is “vital if Canterbury and other parts of New Zealand want to manage water sustainability, something the country is struggling to do at the moment”.

“Linking water quantity and quality teaching and research with other disciplines such as ecology and economics, offers great potential to enhance prospects for sustainable water resources development.

“The unique combination of people and teaching and research opportunities available at both Lincoln and Canterbury universities provides an exciting platform for launching truly innovative practices.”

The University of Canterbury's Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Town, says the collaborative initiative will be a “catalyst for change, and for regulatory, industry, public interest and water user organisations to work together.”