Lincoln University, beginning as a school of agriculture, is the oldest institution in the commonwealth.

Now it’s my turn to give you some introduction of Lincoln University. Though it is a multifaceted university now, Lincoln began life as a "school" of agriculture. It is the third oldest agricultural teaching institution in the British Commonwealth, and the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere.
    The Lincoln School of Agriculture was established in 1878 with ties to Canterbury College. It had a simple aim—to teach the science of practical farming. The sole chief lecturer and manager director was William Edward Ivey, whose name has been given to Ivey Hall, the principal heritage building on campus, now remodeled as the library.
    When Ivey opened the doors for classes in 1880 he had just 16 students. It may have been tiny, but Lincoln was dear to the Canterbury forefathers who saw an agricultural school as an essential element in their dream of a model province.
    In 1896 the school separated from Canterbury College and became a teaching institution of the University of New Zealand under the name Canterbury Agricultural College. It stayed as Canterbury Agricultural College until the University of New Zealand was disestablished in 1961. It then became officially Lincoln College, a constituent college of the University of Canterbury, until autonomy in 1990.
    For more than a century, Lincoln’s leadership in the development of agriculture helped position New Zealand internationally as the world’s most cost-effective producer of dairy and meat products.
    After modest growth early in the 20th century, Lincoln expanded rapidly in the years after World War 11. Generations of New Zealand farmers and scientists applied its lessons not just to fanning but to a growing appreciation for the conservation of land and water resources. Internationally too, Lincoln became a significant player in the post-war years. Hundreds of international students, mainly from British Commonwealth countries, came to Lincoln under the New Zealand Government’s aid programs such as the Colombo Plan. Lincoln’s growing excellence in the science of primary production was a valuable contribution from New Zealand to developing countries. And many graduates from Lincoln have become leading government and research figures in their own countries.
    When Lincoln’s centenary was marked in 1978, the roll had first exceeded 2,000. Recognizing Lincoln’s argument that an independent university would be in the nation’s interest, government legislation in 1990 established Lincoln as an "autonomous but specialized" university.
    Over the past ten years Lincoln University has continued to develop as a nationally and internationally renowned university specializing in commerce and management, primary production, natural resources, science, engineering and social science. Undergraduate and postgraduate programs are available here. And in 1999 the university enrolled 3,792 students from more than 50 countries.
    The University is very proud of its attractive campus, excellent facilities and the wide range of services which have been developed to support the learning and research activities of students and staff. The 58-hectare campus houses modern teaching spaces, an excellent library and campus facilities. On-campus accommodation is home for approximately 650 students during the University year. Campus accommodation options include six halls of residence and student flats. Accommodation is also available for staff.
    Lincoln University is regarded as the most internationalized of all New Zealand tertiary institutions with the highest proportion of international students, off shore teaching programs and a wholly owned subsidiary—Lincoln International that specializes in international consultancies and project management. It will continue to meet the global trends with education and research that embraces international trade and environmental policy, economics, commerce and marketing and biological and social science.
    That is all for the brief introduction about Lincoln University. I think you may have a general idea about it now. If you want to know more, please come to me during the teatime.