9 August 2005 The Power of Three – Massey and Lincoln Universities alongside NZ Primary Industry

Massey and Lincoln Universities will work with leading agricultural and horticultural organisations to create the most influential centre of research-led education in the agricultural and life sciences in the southern hemisphere.

The Government recently awarded the collaborative project $9 million under the Partnerships for Excellence programme. It is one of two Massey projects awarded out of six nationwide under the scheme, which aims to increase the New Zealand tertiary education system's capability at a world-class level by matching private industry support for tertiary education and research.

In partnership with Meat and Wool New Zealand, Dairy InSight, Dexcel, Fonterra, AGMARDT, The New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation, The New Zealand Vegetable and Potato Growers Federation (Vegfed) and the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, the Agriculture and Life Sciences partnership has attracted more than $20 million of support.

In response to a need identified by industry leaders, the project will integrate the research and educational capabilities of the two Universities with the requirements of industry. Its focus will be to ensure that the on-farm and near-farm sectors of the agricultural and biological industries: continue to be led and managed by outstanding individuals who are consistently upgrading their skills and capability; are sustained by a steady influx of New Zealand's best and brightest minds; and are supported and informed by leading edge research.

The Vice-Chancellor of Massey University, Professor Judith Kinnear, describes the project as a landmark opportunity to collaborate with an industry as diverse and important as agriculture in a way that has not been possible in the past. "Not only will it better enable the strategic alignment of New Zealand's $17 billion agricultural industry with its two leading agricultural universities, it will also be a powerful catalyst for further engagement and investment", she said.

The Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln University, Professor Roger Field said he is delighted with the decision. The partnership builds on the strengths of both Universities, and the excellent relationships they both have with the industry. "The two Universities have sought opportunities to work more closely together for some time. The Agriculture and Life Sciences Partnership will enable real and meaningful collaboration to develop", he said.

The chairman of Dexcel and a director of Fonterra Ltd, Jim van der Poel, says there has been continued support for the partnership from the dairy industry. "Massey and Lincoln universities have played an historic role in building the agricultural industry, which has grown to contribute 7 percent of the country's GDP and up to 60 percent of its exports in total, including forestry and horticulture. For New Zealand to maintain its status as a world leader, it needs a world-class faculty, and this partnership is a crucial step in this direction."

Mr van der Poel says there is significant focus on productivity improvement in the dairy industry, and a strategic framework has been developed to identify and further develop priority areas, such as environmental sustainability, forage and knowledge transfer. He says the partnership is well aligned with these industry objectives.

Mark Jeffries, chief executive of NZ Meat and Wool, says the company and the wider industry is excited about the partnership. "Meat and Wool New Zealand, with a number of independent organisations representing farmers, view this opportunity as an important step in improving the focus of agriculture as a career choice for school leavers." Mr Jeffries says farmers will be pleased with the partnership, which will maximise existing efforts and resources.

Peter Silcock, chief executive of the NZ Fruitgrowers Federation, says giant opportunities lie ahead for New Zealand's $2 billion horticultural export industry as a result of its inclusion in the scheme.

"We see the Partnership for Excellence as a matchless new platform from which fruit growers, vegetable producers and others in the horticultural sector can lift the industry's state of play to a whole new level. With the unique, specialised partnership now established between Massey and Lincoln universities the country's critical mass of research and development that can be applied to horticulture has been instantly enlarged.

"It is a winning situation because these two universities have always been the industry's teaching and research powerhouses and sources of graduates," says Mr Silcock.

The Partnership for Excellence project will focus on five key areas, including:

a) Excellence in Students

Establishment of a High Performance Academy of undergraduate and postgraduate students, post-doctoral research scientists, and other industry participants, through which elite performers can be identified, cultivated, financially supported, mentored and fast-tracked into positions of strategic importance in the Universities and the industry sector;

b) Focused Excellence in Research

To provide the required research capabilities to meet industry needs, two aspects pertaining to research:

i. establishment of focused areas of educational and research excellence through collaboration between Massey, Lincoln, industry organisations.

ii. seed funding and establishment grants for emerging researchers and the development of new collaborative research ventures between Massey, Lincoln and industry;

c) Excellence in Industry

Development of an advanced continuing professional development programme to promote excellence in technical and managerial aspects of agriculture;

d) Global Capabilities

Establishment and maintenance of a global network of the world-renowned agricultural universities, research institutions, and agribusinesses by facilitating staff and student interchange, placements and collaboration;

e) Opportunities in Education

Rationalising and collaborating in the delivery of teaching programmes between Massey and Lincoln through the use of advanced information technology and innovative teaching methodologies.

A bridging trust with membership from Massey, Lincoln and industry partners will be established to oversee the partnership. The trust will lead strategic alignment between the partners, and oversee the investment of funds available to the partnership. It will also be focused on maximising opportunities for further collaboration.

Massey has also received Partnership for Excellence funding for a partnership that will see the equine industry reach its full economic potential.

Tony Zwart, Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand

Stuart Morriss: Director – Strategic Policy, Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand

Mark Jeffries: Chief Executive, Meat and Wool New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand

Jim van der Poel: Chairman: Dexcel, Waikato, New Zealand

Peter Silcock, Chief Executive, NZ Fruitgrowers Federation, Wellington, New Zealand