International activities

Links with international organisations and with overseas research and teaching institutions is becoming increasingly important with moves towards globalisation. Many of the problems and challenges in nature conservation are not confined to New Zealand. In looking for solutions overseas case studies and expertise is an important approach. The advent of electronic links including email and the world wide web, and comparative ease of travel, means that the Centre is part of a global community.

As a relatively isolated country in a geographic sense it is important that Lincoln University fosters and builds its overseas linkages. This is reflected in the traditional importance the University puts on overseas student enrolments (over 40% of the students currently enrolled are from outside New Zealand). As well, the University maintains strong overseas consultancy links and vigorous academic links through its teaching and research staff.

One of the great challenges of conservation is the wise adaptation of techniques and approaches developed in one part of the world to another. In order to meet this challenge, one of the activities of the Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation has been the establishment of two international degree programmes. The Masters in Natural Resource Management (NARMEE) is taught in conjunction with BOKU University in Austria; and the Masters in International Nature Conservation (MINC) with Georg-August University in Germany.

These degrees expose students to nature conservation and management problems and solutions in very different countries and cultures. Students have the opportunity to study in several countries authenticating the international character of their degree and greatly widening their experience.

Boku University, Austria

Lincoln University and BOKU University have embarked on a formal MoU in environmental education and research.

One of the outcomes is a jointly awarded degree:

An international Masters' degree in the area of sustainability: "Master of Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering".

Two universities - one in the northern and one in the southern hemisphere - have joined forces to produce an innovative Master degree. BOKU University, Vienna, Austria and Lincoln University in New Zealand's South Island are both universities of environment and resources, and share a strong common interest in promoting sustainable development.

The focus is the preparation for an international career in the areas of Natural Resources Management, Environmental Management, Ecological Engineering, or Business for Sustainability.  Neither university on its own can adequately prepare graduates for a professional career in the international arena, but the synergy of both can do so. The geographic, historical, political and social contrasts between a young island nation, and a small landlocked country in a large continent, provide a unique opportunity for learning.

Georg-August University, Goettingen, Germany

The Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation and the Centre for Nature Conservation at Georg-August University have a formal MoU in Nature Conservation. 

This includes:

• Staff exchange
• Collaborative research
• The jointly awarded Masters Degree: Master of International Nature Conservation (MINC).

The International Conservation Union

The University is a long-established individual member of IUCN. This links it to many hundreds of non-government organisations and academic/research institutions as well as over 140 governments worldwide. Through the work of IUCN specialist Commissions the University has input into global and regional strategic planning, case studies and specialist groups concerned with the whole spectrum of nature conservation.

The primary contact point for IUCN is now through Dr. Ann Brower.