Student Georgie Burdon, who is studying agricultural innovation, wrote to the Ministry for Primary Industries last week outlining her concerns on the selection criteria for the ministry's inaugural On Farm Support science scholarships.
MPI is offering six scholarships, worth $5000 each, for the 2024 academic year to students studying agriculture and horticulture at Massey and Lincoln universities.
Miss Burdon, of Lake Hāwea, said the sole selection of Massey and Lincoln, based on their established agricultural and horticultural science programmes, might inadvertently overlook the changing nuances of the agricultural sector and the expertise of other institutions, such as the University of Otago.
The University of Otago had a rich history of producing alumni who had become pivotal figures in the farm advisory sector, she said.
"Many of my peers and I were drawn to Otago precisely because of its forward-thinking approach and its alignment with the contemporary challenges and shifts in the agricultural landscape."
The university fostered a progressive mindset, which would play a significant role in shaping the next generation of farm advisers, she said.
She asked for the ministry to allow Otago students to submit applications for this year’s scholarship programme.
Applications close on November 22.
"It would be a significant opportunity for us to showcase our skills, knowledge and unique perspectives, which align with the modern challenges of the agricultural sector," she said.
By including Otago students, MPI would diversify its investment in talent and ensure a holistic approach to the future of New Zealand's agriculture, Miss Burdon said.
She raised a similar concern about an FMG Scholarship in 2019 which was initially limited to Massey and Lincoln students.
"Fortuitously, they responded positively and swiftly amended the eligibility to include Otago, which was a commendable act on their part."
Although Otago was not historically an agriculture-based university, it had a long and well-established tradition in plant science, botany, genetics, environmental management and related fields, all of which had made substantial contributions to the agriculture industry, she said.
University of Otago agricultural innovation student Maddie Ford, of Mount Maunganui, said she wanted to apply for the ministry scholarship but could not because she was studying in Dunedin.
"I meet all of the requirements listed except for the fact that I study at Otago rather than Lincoln or Massey."
University of Otago agricultural innovation programme director Craig Bunt said he had reservations about the ministry considering Massey and Lincoln to be the top two universities in New Zealand for primary industries.
In two prominent university ranking programmes, QS and THE, the University of Otago was ranked closely to Lincoln and Massey in the field of agriculture and forestry.
"Given this information, I would like to propose that applications from Otago students be accepted and assessed on an equal footing with those from Lincoln and Massey students."
Ministry On Farm Support director John Roche said it was the first time the scholarships had been offered. The programme would be reviewed and consideration given to whether eligibility should be widened to other courses and institutions in the future.
