Postgraduate students and academics from across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia joined Otago staff in Queenstown for the Postgraduate Orthodontic Symposium.
Academics and postgraduate students from across Australia and New Zealand connected socially as well as professionally at the first-ever Postgraduate Orthodontic Symposium to be hosted in Aotearoa.
Coordinated by the University of Otago’s Disipline of Orthodontics in the Faculty of Dentistry, the event was held in Queenstown from 31 July to 1 August and brought together researchers from a variety of orthodontic specialties.
Professor Mauro Farella served as scientific chair of the symposium, hosting various partner organisations and industry sponsors throughout the two-day event.
“The breadth and quality of the programme highlighted the important role of postgraduate education in preparing the next generation of orthodontic specialists and advancing academic excellence across Australia and New Zealand.” – Professor Mauro Farella
“Attendees gathered to share research findings, discuss challenging clinical cases, clinical protocols, emerging methodologies and innovative approaches to patient care, while exchanging perspectives on orthodontic education and practice,” Mauro says.
“The breadth and quality of the programme highlighted the important role of postgraduate education in preparing the next generation of orthodontic specialists and advancing academic excellence across Australia and New Zealand.”
Mauro says many academics and students were enthusiastic about attending a New Zealand-based symposium as it provided a wonderful opportunity for not only the development of cross-country collegiality but also created a space for friendship and fun.
Otago postgraduate student Daniel Sim (left) receiving one of the ‘Best Scientific Presentation’ awards from the scientific chair of the symposium, Professor Mauro Farella.
Otago postgraduate student Daniel Sim attended the event and attested to the warm-hearted nature of the academic symposium.
Daniel was recognised with one of the awards for the ‘Best Scientific Presentation’ at the event for his work entitled, “Tooth clenching: Insights from ambulatory monitoring”.
“Receiving the award was such a surprise and served as a wonderful bonus to both an educational and social weekend.” – Daniel Sim
He says having his research acknowledged was an added highlight to the event’s vibrant social programme and academic sessions.
“Receiving the award was such a surprise and served as a wonderful bonus to both an educational and social weekend,” Daniel says.
“Some of the more entertaining aspects of the symposium included activities beyond the lecture theatre such as a New Zealand wine appreciation workshop, and a Dancing Queenstown evening inspired by the music of ABBA.”
Staff and students from the Universities of Adelaide, Melbourne, Queensland, Sydney, Western Australia and Otago attended the event amongst others.
– Kōrero by the Division of Health Sciences Communications Adviser Kelsey Swart
Orthodontics at Otago
Orthodontics is one of seven academic disciplines within the Department of Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry. It has a long tradition of excellence as the only academic provider of education in orthodontics in New Zealand.
Orthodontics at Otago