SGGW at ELLS meeting in New Zealand
The Spring Meeting of representatives of the Task Force (TF) group of universities affiliated with the ELLS – Euroleague for Life Sciences network was held on March 17-20. For the first time in the history of ELLS, the meeting was held outside Europe, hosted by Lincoln University (LU) in Aotearoa / New Zealand.
The stay at LU was an opportunity to learn more about the university, its staff, infrastructure, and community partners, as well as to understand the importance of Māori heritage to the modern multicultural society in New Zealand. TF meetings addressed the issues defined by the Rectors of ELLS universities during the meeting at SGGW ( Kociszew, 28.02.2025 ), i.e., the new network strategy, potential rebranding and the need to change the governance structure of the alliance after the admission of new partners. Particular attention was paid to discussing the decline in candidates’ interest in studies with a broad agricultural profile. SGGW was represented by the Vice-Rector for Internationalization, Dr. Marta Mendel, Prof. SGGW, and the head of the International Relations Office, Ms. Katarzyna Specjalska.
The continuation of the stay in New Zealand was a visit to the largest university in the country, i.e., the University of Auckland (AU). The meeting with AU representatives concerned the development of schemes for scientific and teaching cooperation, including the possibility of financing student and academic staff mobility.
On behalf of the hosts, the meeting was attended by: Professor Rick Henry, Head of the Department of Engineering and Design; Professor David Goldstone, Head of the Department of Biological Sciences; Professor Fiona Lithander from the Liggins Institute; Mr. Martin Hookham-Simms, Head of the International Office; and Mr. Jonathan Harvey, an employee of the International Office.
