Auckland University Sign Research and Innovation Agreement
NEW ZEALAND - The University of Auckland, DairyNZ, farmer cooperative LIC (Livestock Improvement Corporation) and Agresearch have signed an agreement establishing a Joint Graduate School in Dairy Research and Innovation that will educate postgraduate students in fields relevant to the dairy industry.
21 November 2012
2 minute read
The school will span disciplines that contribute to sustainable productivity on the farm – such as genetics, agricultural technology and environmental science – through to those that add value beyond the farm gate such as food science and business.
The aim is to enhance postgraduate education in these disciplines in New Zealand and internationally, with at least 50 Masters and PhD students by 2015 across science, engineering, business, social science and health.
“We want to create a focus on, and a catchment for, the dairy industry at New Zealand’s leading university, to help recruit top talent into all areas of the industry,” explains Dean of Science Professor Grant Guilford.
“The school’s urban base will also provide an opportunity for urban-rural issues to be discussed and better understood.”
DairyNZ Chief Executive Tim Mackle said,“The dairy sector is this country’s single largest export earner, accounting for 28 of all merchandise exports in 2011-12. Its contribution to New Zealand’s GDP is greater than the fishing, forestry and mining sectors combined and 10 times larger than the contribution from the wine industry,”
“We need to focus on producing top quality graduates with the education and skills directly relevant to the dairy industry. This collaborative initiative is all about how we can work together to encourage the best and brightest to see the great career and research opportunities that exist in our sector.”
TheCattleSite News Desk
