Canterbury Regional Council and Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build on the longstanding informal relationships between the two organisations and pave the way for future collaborations and closer cooperation.
The new strategic partnership between the Council and the University will see them work together on a series of research projects that are set to have significant and far-reaching benefits for the wider Waitaha region and the communities living within it.
Lincoln University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Grant Edwards says the MoU 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,” he said.
“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.”
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.”
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.
