17 August 2011 Students from Europe flock to Lincoln University

A ground-breaking international degree in sustainability, offered jointly by Lincoln University and an Austrian university, is proving a drawcard for New Zealand’s specialist land-based university.

A dozen students are currently studying at Lincoln University from Vienna, with 20 more due in the new year, all focusing on their interest areas of sustainability.

Lincoln University is a partner in this world first - an International Joint Master in Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering (MNaRMEE, colloquially known as NARMEE) and offered in partnership with BOKU, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna.

The students study for four semesters, attend both universities and finish with a jointly taught and awarded degree, having also done their bit for international relations on their way to landing great jobs.

German student Joern Harrandt completed his undergraduate degree in Cologne and selected NARMEE from about 60 master’s programmes.

“I enrolled in BOKU in Vienna so I could come to Lincoln University,” he says. “I want to work in wildlife management, perhaps as a park ranger. I love the outdoors, I’m a keen hunter and love to fish and hike, so wanted to explore those options here.

“I am definitely recommending Lincoln University and know there are about 20 Europeans and Americans coming here from BOKU for the next semester. It’s quite common for European students to study overseas to get the best courses and the NARMEE programme is unique, but becoming better known.

“Lincoln University has a very good reputation for being a specialist university and I like being here. I’ve been here a month, people have made me welcome, my study is going well and I would like to stay. The lecturer to student ratio is much smaller than in Europe, so I hope to stay here to do my thesis.”

On the other hand, Lauren Maciaszek has recently returned to Lincoln University from a semester at BOKU.

“I really enjoyed studying at BOKU and the opportunity to live and study in Vienna,” she says. “At first it was a bit strange to adjust to taking 12 different classes, but the subjects were very specific so I could take exactly what I wanted and have variety.

“It was fascinating to see how some issues are the same as New Zealand’s, while others are so different. I found it especially interesting to learn more about how environmental problems were handled across borders, since it’s an issue New Zealand doesn’t usually have to worry about.

“BOKU had a lot of exchange students from all over the world and we were very well looked after. I really liked meeting Austrian students and other exchange students from around the world, as well as the opportunity to see Austria and other parts of Europe.”

Lincoln University Academic Programme Leader, Ian Spellerberg, and colleague Graeme Buchan founded the concept of international education about specialist aspects of sustainability.

“Green is the new black,” he says. “The S word is here and this programme is part of Lincoln University’s contribution to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainability (2005 – 2014.)

“Natural Resources Management means being committed to the wise use of natural resources. Sustainability demands internationalisation of environmental management, so there is a need for people trained in an international setting.

“That is why Lincoln University works with BOKU to produce the innovative programme. Its graduates will become part of the next generation of environmental managers who will play an important role in developing sustainable lifestyles.

”Students who complete this international degree land jobs in international agencies or local settings where they offer an international perspective, or can continue research which can make a difference.”