In what is a new appointment in a new academic field for the university, it follows the establishment last year of an Agricultural Innovation degree course and the establishment in 2016 of Ag@Otago, where more than 60 researchers across various disciplines were encouraged to tackle agricultural issues.
The university’s pro-vice chancellor – sciences Professor Richard Barker says the role will provide academic leadership to the Agricultural Innovation degree course.
“To give the programme the best chance of flourishing, we are investing in a senior level academic appointment to drive the programme forward,” Barker said in a statement.
Barker says the appointment also recognises the importance of agriculture to New Zealand, both historically and for the future, but also to help address pending staff shortages in the next few years, especially those with tertiary qualifications.
“The new major and minor in Agricultural Innovation are designed to capitalise on the extensive academic and research expertise at Otago, coupled with interest from prospective students as shown by meeting numerous prospective students and families at field days around the country who wished that Otago had a presence in agriculture,” he said.
“It is also a logical extension of the establishment in 2016 of a University of Otago Research Theme, Ag@Otago, involving more than 60 researchers at the University of Otago with an active interest in agricultural research.”
