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Scholarship designed to help NZ lead the world
Mark Coetzee, 21, was today presented with the inaugural Terralink International Scholarship to study Remote Sensing at Massey University.
The scholarship gives the winner $5,000, the opportunity to undertake a post-graduate research project with Terralink International, employment with Terralink during university holidays with the possibility of a permanent job after graduation.
Remote sensing involves gathering information about ground conditions from satellite images using a range of light spectra, including infra red. Terralink International has recently developed a technology for processing the high resolution satellite images needed for remote sensing that has attracted interest from some of the largest global players in the aerial imagery industry.
One of the most topical applications at the moment for remote sensing is precision agriculture – a new field covering a range of cutting edge agricultural applications including sensing the growth rates, health and ripeness of crops or pasture from space.
Mark Coetzee is currently planning his research project with Terralink International.
Terralink Managing Director Mike Donald, says the scholarship was set up to create links with Massey University to move New Zealand’s remote sensing industry ahead. The closer relationship between the company and university will have benefits for both sides in terms of recruitment and research.
“Satellite remote sensing is an area where New Zealand needs to stay on the pace globally. It’s important technology for our farming and forestry industries, for the management of our natural resources and for rapidly measuring the impact of natural disasters such as floods,” he says.
“We need more smart young people to become remote sensing experts to work in companies like Terralink and to do research in universities. It’s an exciting area where New Zealand could lead the world if we get enough smart minds thinking about it.”
Mike Tuohy, a remote sensing expert from Massey University says the scholarship will help push the New Zealand remote sensing industry ahead.
“We could wait and let the rest of the world develop the next technology and then go out and buy it at a huge expense. This scholarship shows that Terralink and Massey University would rather develop the technology and its applications here and then take it to the world,” he says.
