In response to the necessary transition to a circular economy and sustainable society, modern processes need to be energy and material efficient, flexible and be able to recover valuable resources from materials that are conventionally considered as waste.

As ‘sustainability’ becomes increasingly seen as a buzzword, new generations of engineers and scientists are working to redefine the term so that it truly addresses not just economic survival, but the needs of humanity and our planet. We aim to ensure that our engineering graduates can empower positive change, and are a reflection of this perspective.

Our Master of Engineering Studies in Sustainable Resource Recovery aims at educating a new range of professionals with a holistic overview on waste minimisation and up-to-date resource recovery technologies who are familiar with sustainability concepts and can bring novel mindsets to industry. This programme will provide an essential framework for graduates entering into both engineering and scientific employment, in New Zealand and overseas.

As Aotearoa’s first university to offer postgraduate study options in Resource Recovery, we are also taking this opportunity to bring a new dimension to this internationally-established field by aligning with Te Ao Māori and the tradition of kaitiakitanga, ‘the exercise of guardianship’. To do so, we will forge relationships with Māori businesses and communities who are able to facilitate the transfer of knowledge. This means that you’ll be provided with a holistic learning experience unique to our position in the world.

For engineering graduates, this specialisation is designed to meet requirements for international accreditation provided by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), which can contribute to your chartered status.

A specialisation in Sustainable Resource Recovery gives you exposure to our departmental expertise in areas such as advanced resource recovery technologies, bioprocessing, materials processing and characterisation, and process control and optimisation — all are skills valued in industry and research. Additional electives also cover relevant areas, including:
- Process control
- Microbial technology in bioprocess engineering
- Industry 4.0 for chemical engineering
- Food process engineering
- Applications in biomaterials
There is also a research component to your programme, which gives you the opportunity to undertake an open-ended project related to applications and engineering innovation in the field. This may be undertaken with research companies and industry professionals. This will help you build confidence in your transferable skills and enhances the theoretical knowledge from taught courses in the programme.