Lincoln University signs new Memorandum of Understanding with Environment Canterbury

The Council and Lincoln University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday 6 November. The MoU builds on the longstanding informal relationships between the two organisations and paves the way for future collaborations and closer cooperation.

The new strategic partnership between the Council and the University will see the two organisations work together on a series of research projects that will have significant and far-reaching benefits for the wider Waitaha region and the communities living within it.

The list of topics earmarked for consideration under the new collaborative approach features many of the major challenges facing land-based sectors in Waitaha and beyond.

Potential joint research projects include: Impacts and mitigations of agriculture on the environment; Farm economics under changing climate, legislation and market forces; Climate change adaptation and mitigation; Resource management planning; Peri-urban planning and management; Waterways management, and many more.

The new partnership will also provide a pathway and motivation for the Council and Lincoln University to collaborate on identifying opportunities for the Canterbury region and developing strategies to capitalise on those opportunities.

Under the new agreement, Environment Canterbury is committed to facilitating and extending the work of the University through co-creation and delivery of research projects, providing training, supervision and resources for suitable student-led research projects, providing work assignments and internships for high-quality student candidates, and contributing expertise to Master’s and Doctoral students.

Lincoln University Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards says the Memorandum of Understanding is a natural fit between two prominent like-minded organisations that are committed to ensuring a more sustainable future for Waitaha and its residents.

“Lincoln University’s purpose is to facilitate excellent research and education in the land-based sectors, to help shape a world that benefits from a greater understanding of the relationship between land, food and ecosystems.

“The efforts of our staff, researchers, students and graduates will directly contribute to advancing agriculture, agribusiness, environmental management, recreation and tourism within the Waitaha region and beyond.

Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University has increased its student population year-on-year since 2018. It is on track to achieve its highest-ever student headcount of 5,000 by the end of 2024. Lincoln is New Zealand’s only specialist university focusing on the land-based sectors. It is renowned globally for the quality of its teaching and research programmes, its graduates' high employability, and its outstanding campus experience.

Council Chair Craig Pauling, a Lincoln graduate himself, says Lincoln University and Environment Canterbury have a long-established history of sharing knowledge and expertise, and the new agreement will build on the past to benefit the future.

“It makes sense that, as the regional council, we work closely with a leading learning organisation such as the Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University to benefit us all.”

Councillor John Sunkell has been a strong advocate for this MoU, and is thrilled to see it get to this point.

"Those in education, research and innovation can bring so much to our work by way of new ideas and ways of doing things. By working together, we are setting a powerful example of how we can unite to protect our natural world, our land based productive sectors and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

For media enquiries email media@lincoln.ac.nz or phone 03 325 3827.

Signing the new MoU: Environment Canterbury Chair Craig Pauling (left) and Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards