Monday, 3 December 2018
Leader of World’s Best Agri-Food University Visiting New Zealand
The Riddet Institute is proud to host the President of the World’s leading Agri-Food University Professor Louise O.
Fresco, who is visiting New Zealand next week.
Professor Fresco from Wageningen University and Research will be here from December 3-7, to meet with thought leaders,
primary industries and key research partners.
The Riddet Institute is hosting a summit on Thursday December 6 at Te Papa in Wellington, where Professor Fresco is the
keynote speaker. The speakers will discuss the challenges of food production and nutrition that we need to tackle in
order to feed an ever-growing world population in a sustainable way. The summit will also address the impact of this on
the New Zealand economy and primary industries. Along with Professor Fresco, the Institute has gathered other strategic
leaders in the areas of food economics, research and production to speak on this theme from a global perspective and
what this means to New Zealand as a food producing nation.
Director of the Riddet Institute and Massey University Distinguished Professor Harjinder Singh says the visit is a
highlight of the year.
“We are extremely proud and honoured to host Professor Fresco. This visit is another important milestone in the
continuing relationship between Wageningen University, the Riddet Institute and Massey University,” says Professor
Singh.
The Riddet Institute and Massey University have a special relationship with Wageningen University, a collaboration that
goes back over 30 years. Over that shared history, there have been many collaborative projects, along with staff and
student exchanges. During her visit, Professor Fresco will spend time at Massey University, where she will meet with the
University leadership team, as well as key academics.
Wageningen University is celebrating its centenary this year and during this visit, there will be special events held to
commemorate the anniversary. Massey University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas and Professor Fresco, will plant a
special UniversiTREE to symbolise the continuing relationship between Wageningen University and Massey’s Manawatū
campus. This planting will form part of a “virtual forest” of trees that Wageningen has planted with other collaborating
institutions around the world this year. There will also be events where the Wageningen delegation meets past and
present academic, post-doctoral and postgraduate staff including a special event at the Netherlands’ Embassy in
Wellington on Friday, December 7.
About Professor Fresco
Professor Fresco is a high-profile leader in the Agri-Food sector globally, she is a highly recognised academic in her
own right, has her own TV programme, has written several best-selling books on her research and has given many lectures
on the subject of feeding the world, including a TED Talk. Professor Fresco has a long academic career at both
Wageningen and Amsterdam Universities, with extensive involvement in policy and development programmes. Professor Fresco
is a member of eight Scientific Academies and for ten years, she was Assistant-Director General at the Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the UN. She has also served on the boards of companies including Rabobank and Unilever.
The week’s itinerary of the visit also includes meetings with a variety of industry and government representatives
including; Hon. Dr Megan Woods (Minister for Research, Science & Innovation), Hon David Parker (Minister for Economic Development), the Global Women Showcase Dinner in Auckland and a
public lecture at the Beehive, hosted by Hon Damien O’Connor (Minister for Agriculture, Trade and Export Growth,
Biosecurity & Food Safety).
ENDS