Serkan Ates

With ever-expanding population and climatic change, the world is finding it increasingly hard to feed itself. Pasture improvement is one way to make a difference. This is a field Serkan Ates understands and feels passionate about. He has spent the last ten years closely studying animals and what they consume. 

Serkan also knows that in terms of maximising learning, reputations are very important. Otherwise he wouldn’t be half a world away from his homeland, Turkey. 

It was New Zealand’s reputation as a country with a highly developed pastoral sector and world-recognised qualifications that led the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in Turkey to select this country for Serkan to undertake his Phd Scholarship.

Since coming to New Zealand in 2004, Serkan has been closely involved in research to develop the best grazing management practices for the many varieties of clover found around the world.

In between his busy studies and seminar presentations Serkan’s also found time to meet and marry fellow student Yuana Parisia from Indonesia. Yuana is in New Zealand studying Tourism Management. For both Serkan and Yuana, New Zealand has been a valuable stepping stone to a more rewarding professional and personal life.