3 August 2009 Lincoln University lands in its place

One of New Zealand’s oldest universites is taking on a new title.

Lincoln University opened in 1878 and has always offered academic programmes with close ties to the land. Now the university wants to make sure New Zealand, and the world, knows about its longstanding and ongoing vital contribution to the economy.

Lincoln University Vice Chancellor, Professor Roger Field, says now is the time for the university to claim its space and champion the cause of the land.

“It is clear this country has taken land for granted,” he says. “New Zealand’s definition of land has been too narrow for too long, but the current economic situation has woken people up to the vital role land plays in our economy.

“If you look around the world, successful economies are recognising the importance of land-based industries as a foundation required for long-term sustainable growth.

“Lincoln University has long recognised the value derived from land. Land underpins some of this country’s biggest opportunities and greatest challenges and we believe it takes a specialist to identify, quantify and grapple with those opportunities and challenges.

“It is clear we must lead that public discussion, because Lincoln University is the institution which specialises in training graduates who travel the country and the world, committed to transforming land, people and economies,” he says.

Lincoln University is launching a new campaign to formally position itself as New Zealand’s specialist land-based university. It will treat ‘land’ as a verb rather than a noun - encouraging prospective students to land where they want to be.

“We work very closely with industry to develop our qualifications to meet their needs, as well as the needs of our students,” says Professor Roger Field. “To help meet capability shortages in the land-based sector we need to ensure potential students are aware of the opportunities that the sector presents.

“We are effectively training the leaders of tomorrow for specialist roles that haven’t even been thought of yet. What we do know is that these careers will see our graduates working at the forefront of economies all over the world.

“What might once have been a line between rural and urban is now well and truly blurred. Our graduates are recognised globally for landing on their feet and producing real results that count in the real world,” he says.

Peter Townsend, Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, says Lincoln University has an important role to play in the future of New Zealand’s economy.

“The current international economic environment has made the role of land even more important to global the global economy,” he says. “More than 60% of New Zealand’s export income derived from the land-based sector, so there is no doubt that Lincoln University’s role is vital to this country’s economy.

“Lincoln University is a leading research institution with academic alliances in Asia, the Middle East and America, so its place on the world stage is set. Research and innovation are crucial to the long-term performance of the sector and Lincoln University graduates will undoubtedly be leading the way,” he says.

Lincoln University will launch its new identity to business and industry leaders at an event at the Christchurch Town Hall for Performing Arts on 30 July 2009.