Otago set to host another amazing array of artists
Tuesday 27 September 2022
The arts have the power to inspire, heal, and even alarm, as the University of Otago’s 2023 Arts Fellows can all attest.
Peter Sese and the village that rallied behind him
Tuesday 27 September 2022
Peter Sese has been accepted in to the highly competitive Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry in Oral Surgery programme, but credits the support of others with his success.
Celebrating Otago’s sports clubs
Thursday 22 September 2022
Keeping with the sporty theme of Your Story, we’ve unearthed some precious photos of Otago sports clubs across the decades – from the football team of 1886 and the cricket team and cycling club of 1897, through to mid-century mixed hockey and tramping, and some of our sports clubs today. Enjoy!
Alumni in the News
Thursday 22 September 2022
Law alumna Josie Te Rata receives Ethel Benjamin Scholarship. Co-founder of robotics company Nuro Dave Ferguson wins Kea Award. Ihlara McIndoe and Calla Knudson awarded Dame Malvina Major Foundation Arts Excellence Awards. Dr Hannah Stern appointed Royal Society University Research Fellow at the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge. Alumni receive honours from the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.
From $30 a day to a full-time professional cricketing career
Thursday 22 September 2022
Otago alumna Suzie Bates (Bachelor of Physical Education, 2012), has followed her passion for a career in sport to represent not just her home province of Otago, but her country in both cricket and basketball. Suzie took time out from her busy international schedule to talk to @Otago.
University strengthens links with Central Otago and Southern Lakes
Thursday 22 September 2022
The University of Otago is strengthening its partnership with Central Otago and the Southern Lakes district through the launch of a strategic framework to develop opportunities and enhance relationships with the region.
Busy bees hope native plantings a lure for insects
Thursday 22 September 2022
A team of busy bees has been at work introducing new native plants to help improve insect biodiversity on the Dunedin campus.
Matariki heralds launch of new Centre of Indigenous Science
Thursday 22 September 2022
The rise of Matariki brings with it the launch of a new Centre of Indigenous Science at the University of Otago.
Networks and Events
Thursday 22 September 2022
Bloomberg Trading Lab officially launched. In August we officially launched Te Taura Takata, the BNZ Bloomberg Markets Lab, with the help of special guests Deputy Prime Minister Hon Grant Robertson, CEO of BNZ Dan Huggins, Director of NZX Nigel Babbage and Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki Chair Matapura Ellison.
Hot Picks
Thursday 22 September 2022
Be entertained and feed your mind with our Hot Picks. You can relax in the comfort of your own home, while listening to a selection of podcasts, interviews, and lectures from Otago academics, visiting lecturers, and alumni.
Opportunities for Alumni
Thursday 22 September 2022
Pacific connections
Alumni Global Lens photography competition
Out in the field, searching for a meteorite
Wednesday 14 September 2022
It's not everyday you find yourself out in a paddock in the middle of nowhere, searching for a space rock...
'Great sadness' at Queen's death
Friday 9 September 2022
The University expresses heartfelt condolences to King Charles and the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Inaugural Fred Hollows lecture and MOU celebrate 30 years of restoring sight
Friday 9 September 2022
Celebrating 30 years of restoring sight, the Inaugural Fred Hollows’ Lecture was held at the University of Otago on Thursday.
Scholarships create connections back to rural communities
Thursday 8 September 2022
The applications for New Zealand Rural Games Trust Scholarships were so impressive, the Trust decided to award two $1000 scholarships instead of one, to second-year Otago students Thomas Menlove and Holly Williams.
Supporting Pacific physios beyond graduation
Thursday 8 September 2022
The University’s School of Physiotherapy has launched a new initiative to connect Pacific physiotherapy alumni with current students.
Alumni Global Lens photography competition 2022
Thursday 1 September 2022
We would like to invite you as a member of the University of Otago alumni community to connect with us and share your experience of the world via the medium of photography in our 2022 competition.
Otago alumni honoured at NZ Business Hall of Fame
Wednesday 31 August 2022
Business leaders, philanthropists and Otago alumni Graeme Hart, Uluomatootua (Ulu) Aiono ONZM and Dr Jackie Mills were inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame at a gala event last week.
Alumni scholarships link Otago’s past, present and future
Friday 19 August 2022
After two years of cancelled events, it was great to get together to welcome this year’s alumni scholarship recipients.
Slicing and dicing the wicked food waste problem
Wednesday 17 August 2022
A love of food and cooking led Otago alumna Francesca Goodman-Smith on a journey to a career in food waste minimisation.
New scholarships open doors for Pacific and Commerce students
Monday 1 August 2022
A generous gift to the Otago Foundation Trust will fund substantial scholarships for 10 first-year Pacific students and 10 Commerce students.
Nominations open for the 20Twenties Young Alumni Awards
Tuesday 26 July 2022
Help us celebrate the achievements of Otago’s youngest alumni by nominating graduates from your department or communities for our 20Twenties Young Alumni Awards.
Maple Goh - Scholarship winner, refugee advocate, violinist and podcast founder
Tuesday 19 July 2022
Otago medical alumna Maple Goh has received a prestigious William Georgetti Scholarship and will be travelling to the United States in the fall term to take up her studies at Harvard University.
London and Dublin Alumni events 2022
Friday 15 July 2022
June and July 2022 saw the return to in-person alumni events in London and Dublin. After a break of nearly three years, it was fabulous to be able to introduce newly-appointed Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Murdoch to alumni and to once again provide an opportunity for the Otago spirit to flourish in the northern hemisphere.
University's 2022 creative writing competition opens
Tuesday 12 July 2022
The University’s annual creative writing competition for students and staff is open – and this year for the first time also welcomes entries from alumni.
Otago foundations underpin career in New York art galleries
Tuesday 12 July 2022
Isabella Howard (Rangitāne o Wairau) is putting her Otago arts and business degrees to good use working in the vibrant New York art scene.
Law scholarship recipient to focus on recognition of tikanga Māori
Wednesday 6 July 2022
Otago Law alumna Josie Te Rata (Ngāti Raukawa) is one of two recipients of this year’s New Zealand Law Foundation Ethel Benjamin Scholarships.
Health research another way to contribute for new doctor
Tuesday 5 July 2022
When the COVID-19 pandemic closed the door to placements overseas for students in their final year of medical school, it opened another door for Dr Aqeeda Singh, who made the most of the chance to pursue her love of research.
Alumna Rebekah Ruth van Kerkhof shares her journey from undergraduate to prestigious leadership programme
Tuesday 21 June 2022
Rebekah van Kerkhof’s journey to-and-through the University of Otago has not been without its challenges, but the rewards have been great.
Alumni in the News
Friday 17 June 2022
Alumnus Ridge Ponini and student Sarah Hubbard named as Lexus Song Quest semi-finalists. Emerita Professor Alison Mercer receives top US science honour. Anthonie Tonnon wins Taite Music Prize. BBC names Auē by Burns Fellow Becky Manawatu one of best books of 2022 so far. Dr Jemma Geoghegan wins Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Maea PM’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize.
Honorary degree for outgoing Chancellor
Friday 17 June 2022
Dr Royden Somerville QC, a Dunedin-based barrister and the former Chancellor of the University of Otago, will be recognised for his contribution to the institution with the conferring of an Honorary Doctor of Laws.
Alumni recognised in Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours
Friday 17 June 2022
University of Otago alumni have been recognised for ground-breaking and inspirational service and commitment to a diverse range of communities, interests and professions in the Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours 2022.
A passion for music, law and international travel
Friday 17 June 2022
With the help of an international travel scholarship, Otago alumna Ihlara McIndoe is soon heading to McGill University in Montreal to pursue her master’s in music.
Signs of change on Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo campuses
Friday 17 June 2022
Te reo Māori will be shown first on all new Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo signage from Auckland to Invercargill in a display of the University’s commitment to language equality.
He Manawa Ora: that which binds Taranaki and Ōtākou
Friday 17 June 2022
A cultural design story is bubbling within the concrete and steel frame of the University’s new Te Rangihīroa residential college on the corner of Albany and Forth streets.
Visionary leader and innovator Sir Ian Taylor honoured
Friday 17 June 2022
Being awarded an Honorary Doctor of Commerce by the University of Otago is both an honour and a surprise for business leader, innovator and storyteller Sir Ian Taylor (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pāhauwera) KNZM, CNZM.
Early detection of Alzheimer’s possible – research
Friday 17 June 2022
University of Otago researchers have discovered molecules in the blood that could assist with early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
Hot Picks
Friday 17 June 2022
Be entertained and feed your mind with our Hot Picks. You can relax in the comfort of your own home, while listening to a selection of podcasts, interviews, and lectures from Otago academics, visiting lecturers, and alumni.
Celebrating Law alumni - Judge Michael Mika and Judge Rachel Parata Mullins
Friday 17 June 2022
Earlier this year Otago alumnus Michael Mika was appointed as New Zealand's first Pacific resident district court judge outside of Auckland.
Innovative new Pharmacy scholarships offer rural snapshot
Friday 17 June 2022
An innovative new internship opportunity for Pharmacy students has been created through the generosity of Kerikeri pharmacist Vicki Douglas.
