Dr Roche additionally careworn the significance of future science abilities to meet rising challenges.
“The world has changed. The ability of technology has increased, but an ability to use the technology that continues to be developed at pace will be incredibly important for the next generation of scientists.”
“Our pressing challenges are adapting to climate change and mitigating our greenhouse gases, we need to manage our impact on fresh water. Over the past 20 to 30 years, science has come up with some amazing solutions as we have defined the problems. These problems will not go away so we have a fertile ground for science and scientists for a long time to come.”
He added that whereas New Zealand’s science system produces wonderful research, there’s a want to bridge the hole between research and sensible software.
“There is great science being done, however, we recognise that our science system has not been delivering as much as it could to our society and the economy. We are putting things in place to address that and help ensure that science can become something that New Zealand can use even more productively.”
Professor Geor says it was great to have the chance to present the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor round and let him see firsthand how Massey is advancing the fields of meals and agriculture.
“We have worked with John over several years in his role as Chief Scientist at MPI. He is very familiar with our strengths in agriculture, supported by 2,000+ hectares of working farms that host some of the research supported and funded by MPI, such as the Whenua Haumanu Programme. It was great to be able to show him another of Massey’s strengths along the agrifood chain: food technology.
“Our flagship qualifications and world-ranked food technology group provide strong support to the food industry in Aotearoa New Zealand. John had the chance to ask many questions and gain a deep understanding of the work we are doing across the applied sciences – including agriculture, veterinary science and food technology – and how we contribute to New Zealand’s bioeconomy. We had some great conversations, and it was a pleasure to host him. We look forward to welcoming him again in the future.”