| Communications and Development |  |
Published by Communications and Development
The University of Canterbury and Lincoln University are responding to calls by local authorities and businesses for more water management specialists.
The Tertiary Education Commission's Encouraging and Supporting Innovation Fund has awarded the two universities just over $1 million over three years for an initiative which will encourage closer co-operation on the management of water resources.
UC's Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Town says the initiative will be a catalyst for research, regulatory, industry, public interest and water user organisations to work together on sustainable water management.
"Much of New Zealand's economic base is reliant on water. The Canterbury region is home to 70 percent of the country's existing irrigation and most of the remaining potential irrigable area.
"The responsible management of water resources is expected to be a top priority in the years to come and is becoming a growing pre-occupation for regulatory authorities and business, which are calling for specific training and capability development," he says.
He says there is a particular need for graduates with surface and underground water quality skills, quantity modelling and related statistical skills.
Lincoln University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Chris Kirk says a joint Chair of Water Management Studies will lead the work with authorities and industry to address specific skill shortages. Community education will be another element of the initiative.
"Postgraduate research opportunities linked to water resource management will ensure that the universities continue to develop relevant skills and competencies that will lead to increased productivity and innovation within the sector."
The joint project has support from CPIT, the Canterbury Water Cluster, the Primary Sector Water Partnership and the Water Industries Skills Steering Group. It has been developed in consultation with Environment Canterbury, Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC) and the Department of Labour.
For further information please contact:
John MacDonald
Corporate Affairs Manager
University of Canterbury
Ph: (03) 364 2910
Mob: 021 417 289
john.macdonald@canterbury.ac.nz