increase font size
Massey University PhD student Shashi Ekanayake researching for her thesis on a dairy farm in Sri Lanka.
An international PhD student, working on animal health issues in the dairy sector, has been granted a border exemption to enter New Zealand and continue studying.
Massey University says it is excited to welcome back Shashi Ekanayake, a final year doctorate student from the School of Veterinary Science, who returned after nearly a year in home country, Sri Lanka.
Ekanayake’s PhD project is on dairy cattle lameness, reproduction and milk production in New Zealand and Sri Lanka, and as such her research took her back to her home country right before the pandemic began.
Originally Ekanayake was set to be in Sri Lanka for six-months researching for her thesis however, COVID-19 and its consequences kept her there much longer.
“While I was working overseas, I had to interrupt my data collection due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the restrictions imposed in Sri Lanka.”
As a result of local curfews Ekanyake was unable to collect data for nearly two months before completing her collection in early August. She then had another five-month wait to receive a border exemption to return to New Zealand.
She says returning to New Zealand to continue her studies was crucial to finishing her PhD which is set to fill an important gap in research regarding cattle lameness.
“There is very limited research from New Zealand and Sri Lanka although it is one of the main issues in dairy cows, at the completion of my PhD we will have much more insight into this.
“Since I am in my final year of PhD, direct supervision was necessary especially to help with my data analysis and thesis writing not to mention having the support of Massey staff and other students around.”
Ekanyake says New Zealand was her dream country in which to study and she was aware of Massey University as one of the best veterinary schools in the world.
“I could not have asked for a better place to study; Massey has fantastic research expertise and renowned scientists who have been amazing PhD supervisors.”
As well as her PhD supervisors, Ekanyake would like to thank the New Zealand Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and the Defence Force who granted her a border exemption.
“I am so thrilled to be back in New Zealand after such a long time away and I am excited to finish my studies here.”
Many farmers have invested in solar energy for dairy sheds or houses, but little hard data exists on the viability of solar panels in open paddocks or the loss of drymatter this may cause. Massey University scientist Dr Sam Wilson is conducting research to get more information about this. Rural News reporter Peter Burke went to investigate.
There's been unprecedented demand from secondary school students across the country to study agricultural related subjects.
Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.
A new publication has been launched that offers a comprehensive and up-to-date resource on commercially available grazing pasture species in New Zealand.
Massey University is returning to the Fieldays with a future-focused, solution-driven theme, showcasing research that delivers practical advancements in agricultural efficiency, sustainability and longevity.
Like many manufacturers around the world, European agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers are currently operating in a difficult market environment. But they are heading to the world’s largest agricultural machinery event in Hanover next month with a degree of cautious optimism.
Established in 2021, the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards champion the important contribution parts and service technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.
New Zealand is closer to eradicating bovine TB than ever before, but possums remain a threat, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
