07 August 2025 Smart tech, smarter land use: Lincoln University’s cutting-edge centre opens

The new Centre for Geospatial and Computing Technologies, announced by Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University, will showcase education programmes and research focused on cutting-edge technology directly related to the land-based sectors. 

The Centre, housed within the Faculty of Environment, Society and Design, will increase the visibility of Lincoln University's geospatial and computing disciplines and bring greater collaboration both internationally and in Aotearoa New Zealand with other universities and industry. 

“The popularity of our Master of Applied Computing at Lincoln University demonstrates the growing demand for digital technology programmes that incorporate practical learning within the land-based context,” says Centre for Geospatial and Computing Technologies Director, Associate Professor Stuart Charters. 

In response to the growing demand to learn AI and understand its vast capabilities, a Master of AI for Land Use will be available through the centre soon, pending approval by the Committee on University Academic Programmes. The Master’s will examine generative AI and machine learning, exploring how their application can benefit the land-based sectors. Students will graduate with technical skills, as well as an understanding of the cultural and ethical issues associated with using AI.

Professor Merata Kawharu, Lincoln University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori, says the Centre for Geospatial and Computing Technologies will support the future of the land-based sectors by equipping students with computing knowledge and an understanding of the importance of collaboration with communities and iwi. 

“We need skilled people with expertise in AI and digital technologies, who understand that future decision-making must be guided collectively by technology, science and mātauraka. This integrated approach will lead to more profound outcomes for our environmental and ecological wellbeing,” says Professor Kawharu.

A dynamic speaker panel looking at AI in the land-based sectors will feature at the launch of the Centre for Geospatial and Computing Technologies on 7 August. Santosh Seshadri, Chief Technical Officer at Orbica; Lincoln University’s Professor Merata Kawharu and Professor Sandhya Samarasinghe; and Professor Richard Green from the University of Canterbury will speak on the panel, while Dr Maria Pozza will MC the evening. She is a New Zealand expert in space law and a contract lecturer at the Centre. Invitees to the launch include students, scholarship partners, industry collaborators and the wider tech community in Canterbury. 

For media enquiries, email media@lincoln.ac.nz