10 May 2013

Massey University agricultural programme ranked 21st

6:26 am on 10 May 2013

Massey University is celebrating having its agricultural programme ranked among the top universities in the world.

In the 2013 QS University World Rankings released this week, Massey University's agricultural programme was judged to be the 21st finest in the world.

Vice chancellor Steve Maharey said it's good news for Massey and good news for New Zealand given the importance of agriculture to the country.

Mr Maharey said the highlight of the ranking in his opinion was the five star ranking Massey received for its research in agriculture.

He said having the strength of the university's research recognised will reverberate around the world.

Mr Maharey said one example is that Massey University is very active in China, along with many other universities.

"Our research group in the area of sheep has enormous standing in China and these kinds of rankings will just help reinforce with the Chinese government and with the many provincial governments and universities that we work with in China that we are the right university to come to."

Mr Maharey said it's not only good for the university but could expand to free trade in terms of things like sheep meat going to high quality restaurants in China.

Massey University's agricultural programme also received the maximum five stars in the teaching and innovation categories but just two stars for the employability of its graduates.