METRONEWS
© New Zealand Broadcasting School 2024

by New Zealand Broadcasting School students

Lincoln Uni starts work on 'world-class' $206m research facility

Education

Isaiah Smiler

Lincoln University says researchers from around the world will be attracted to its $206 million research facility, which is under construction.

Construction of the shared facility, which is set to become the largest Agricultural research facility in the Southern Hemisphere, started recently. 

It will have a mix of labs and working spaces to ensure collaboration between research teams. 

After concerns about the university's financial stability at the beginning of the year a plan for its future was put before the Government, which backed it with $85 million. 

The new buildings will house about 700 researchers and students, who will work in a shared research environment. 

Plans for the shared AgResearch and Lincoln University research facility. (AgResearch)

Lincoln University vice-Chancellor Robin Pollard said the facility would be great for students. 

"Students are placed within a professional research environment and we also provide students opportunities in internships and work placements."

The new building would house 375 AgResearch and Dairy NZ staff, providing students with access to some of the top people in their fields.

AgResearch chief executive Tom Richardson said the facility would attract more researchers. 

“It is also going to be a huge draw card for the smartest minds to join in our research and keep us at the cutting edge.”

 

Emptyspaceforbuilding2
The empty space where the shared $206 million research facility will be built. Tegan Elston

Pollard said the facility was  ''ground-breaking'' and something Canterbury should be proud of. 

"I think people, especially in Canterbury, should be proud of what Lincoln has achieved."

The building should be completed by 2020.