Otago Daily Times:

Rituals scrapped at Knox

Chris Morris — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:31:00 +1300

Students fear Knox College's traditions are under attack, after the Presbyterian Church moved to ban initiation ceremonies, scrap elitist symbols and tighten rules on alcohol.

University blames non-students over fires

Matthew Haggart — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:29:00 +1300

Non-students living in North Dunedin flats have been blamed by the University of Otago for a marked increase in the numbers of fires being lit last year in the student quarter.

4000 OUSA 'college packs' given to first-years

John Gibb — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:28:00 +1300

As the start of student Orientation looms next week, Otago University Students' Association staff and volunteers were busy yesterday delivering nearly 4000 "college packs" to Dunedin colleges of residence.

Students welcomed by one in the know

Matthew Haggart — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:28:00 +1300

A welcome was extended to a group of University of Otago students as they settled into their flat yesterday by a former resident who knew their new home better than they might have expected.

Students urged to get involved

Matthew Haggart — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Orientation events at Otago Polytechnic got under way yesterday with a welcome and barbecue lunch held to greet hundreds of new and returning students at the campus.

Students are back: the influx begins

Matthew Haggart — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

The northern suburbs of Dunedin are reawakening from their summer slumber as University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic students move back into the area to prepare for a new academic year.

Student discipline to be discussed behind closed doors

Matthew Haggart — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:15:00 +1300

Student disciplinary matters at the University of Otago will be discussed behind closed doors at its first council meeting of the year this week - three months after criticisms were made by a council member about how disciplinary outcomes were being ignored by media.

Launch of trades training

John Gibb — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:27:00 +1300

A new foundation programme launched as part of an Otago Polytechnic Maori trades training initiative will help counter New Zealand's significant skills shortage, polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker says.

People contact best part of the job

Matthew Haggart — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:34:30 +1300

A photo-covered wall in the office of Donna Jones at the Otago University Students' Association headquarters says all you need to know about the self-confessed "people person".

Extended liquor ban gets DCC tick

David Loughrey — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:31:00 +1300

The Dunedin City Council, police and the University of Otago have student street parties like the Hyde St keg party - which Mayor Dave Cull yesterday labelled "too dangerous to continue" - firmly in their sights.

More students apply for emergency grants

Matthew Haggart — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Students around New Zealand, increasingly struggling to make ends meet, have claimed almost $3.5 million in emergency financial assistance from the Ministry of Social Development during the past three years.

'Proof in the practice' commentator says of student media watchdog

Matthew Haggart — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:28:00 +1300

A media watchdog entity being formed by the University of Otago to monitor contentious student magazine Critic and Radio One should not compromise the independence of the two outlets, a New Zealand media commentator says.

Otago Polytechnic: Big 2012 plans

Matthew Haggart — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Otago Polytechnic wants to build on the industry success and acclaim it garnered last year as part of a bid to become a "great" tertiary institution, its chief executive has told staff.

Turning up the heat on student housing

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:26:00 +1300

Living in a warm, dry flat is a basic right, Otago University Students' Association president Logan Edgar says.

Clinical trial concern

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:28:00 +1300

The health of patients who take part in treatment trials may be put in danger by Government changes to ethics committees, a group of academics says.

Otago Uni student in Indian police cells

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:17:30 +1300

A young kiwi found himself locked up in Indian police cells after live bullets were found in his luggage at an airport security check.

Build-up for Orientation under way

Matthew Haggart — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:29:00 +1300

Event managers for this month's University of Otago Orientation are finalising expanded plans for the traditional student welcome party.

Increase in funds, student places at Otago Polytech

Matthew Haggart — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:17:00 +1300

Otago Polytechnic will receive a funding increase of more than $1 million as a result of a Tertiary Education Commission decision to raise the institution's number of students.

Researchers support traffic light labels

Chris Morris — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Introducing a traffic light system for food packaging - clearly identifying the best and worst salty foods - would help boost nutrition in New Zealand, University of Otago researchers say.

Mastering the art of weaving

Rebecca Fox — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Bronwyn Lowe weaves pingao (sedge grass) into a small kete at the University of Otago's Summer School Raranga Kete Whakairo course this week.

Lecturer Roka Cameron said the course aimed to teach students the intricate weaving technique of mahi kete whakairo (construction or making of woven kits).

Moving with the times

Matthew Haggart — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Growing up on a farm near Edinburgh provided Prof Sir Fraser Stoddart with an education from the "university of life", the ground-breaking chemist and nanotechnology pioneer says.

Study links exercise with brain function

Ellie Constantine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:18:00 +1300

Everyone knows the benefits of exercise for how your body functions, but what about your brain?

Student launches lecture notes sharing site

Sally Rae — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

University of Otago commerce student Hayden Kerrisk admits to being "not much of a note-taker".

Enviro-lies sway buys

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Waves of greenwash are swamping even the most aware of shoppers, writes Andrew Laxon, of the NZ Herald.

Chair to enable new research pathways

Matthew Haggart — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:29:00 +1300

Return of albatross encouraging

Rebecca Fox — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Five years ago, royal northern albatross White-lime-yellow's future hung in the balance, but its return to the Taiaroa Head colony this week means it will help fill in the gaps in researchers' knowledge about where the birds go when foraging at sea.

Don't put it off: performance coach

John Gibb — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Delay no longer in seeing a personal performance coach to help you tackle those procrastination problems.

Chemistry 'stars' meet

John Gibb — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

A conference which begins in Dunedin this weekend has attracted more high profile international researchers than any previous chemistry-related gathering in New Zealand, organisers say.

Canterbury students look south

Matthew Haggart — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:27:00 +1300

Preliminary enrolment figures at Otago Polytechnic have indicated a rise in the number of applications being processed from Christchurch-based students.

Footage examined

Matthew Haggart — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:27:00 +1300

Security camera footage is being examined in a bid to identify an alleged offender after a complaint of improper conduct at the University of Otago central library last week.

Week-long camp for aspiring scientists

Matthew Haggart — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Budding scientists from around the country are getting stuck into their projects at a week-long camp for rural secondary school pupils recruited to the Otago University Advanced School Science Academy.

$10,000 upgrade of university squash courts

Matthew Haggart — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:26:00 +1300

A $10,000 refurbishment of the Otago University Squash Club courts is under way with funding for the project being provided by the Otago University Students Association.

Unit's exciting chances touted

Eileen Goodwin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:30:00 +1300

Exciting research possibilities lie ahead for the Dunedin academic unit of neurosurgery, clinical director of South Island neurosurgery Martin MacFarlane says.

Efforts to save amphibians

Matthew Haggart — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:27:00 +1300

International efforts to save amphibious species from threats of extinction are ready to take a leap forward, University of Otago scientist Dr Phil Bishop said.

Children raised in rich families do better

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

University of Otago researchers have put hard numbers to the adage that success breeds success - and failure breeds failure.

Following family's female tradition

John Gibb — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Oxford University doctoral student Melanie Bunce yesterday became the fourth generation of female academics in her family to teach at the University of Otago.

Robins spring some surprises

Rebecca Fox — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Safe and sound from predators, some of Orokonui Ecosanctuary's population of robins have surprised researchers by nesting on the ground.

Field trip students get down and dirty in St Kilda

John Gibb — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Anyone wanting to know more about the life-changing potential of the University of Otago's Hands-on Science week, need look no further than university geologist Dr Virginia Toy.

Kaitohutohu becomes polytechnic's second full professor

Matthew Haggart — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Maori academic Dr Khyla Russell has been appointed as a full professor at Otago Polytechnic - only the second person to hold the title at the institution.

Tutoring business plan makes matches online

Sally Rae — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:29:00 +1300

It's all about recycling knowledge. Samantha Berry is launching a new business on March 1 called UniTutor, an online website where University of Otago students can find private tutors for specific university papers.

Quake talk at 'Hands-on-Science'

John Gibb — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Senior secondary school pupils from throughout New Zealand will converge on Dunedin for the University of Otago's latest annual "Hands-on-Science" school, which starts tomorrow.

Students earn $7 million

Matthew Haggart — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

Student employees are being praised as "good workers" after new figures have shown University of Otago students employed throught Student Job Search earned almost $7 million in paid work, last year.

Dance students to study in India

John Gibb — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

A group of senior dance students from the University of Otago's summer school will leave Dunedin for southern India today.

Here's something to get your teeth into

John Gibb — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

The undead have never been livelier. But the recent increase in popularity of television shows, movies, and books devoted to vampires should not be dismissed as merely another passing teenage craze, Garth Cartwright says.

MBA team in second place

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

The Otago MBA team competing in the John Molson MBA International Case Competition, in Montreal, came second out of 36 participating schools from 12 different countries.

Proposed sea lion plan questioned

Rebecca Fox — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:28:00 +1300

A University of Otago lecturer is calling for an independent review of the proposed management of New Zealand's threatened sea lion population.

OUSA accountability set to increase

John Gibb — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

A fledgling funding agreement to finance student-run services next year will bring greater transparency and accountability, the general manager of the Otago University Students Association says.

NZ helping Africa statistics education

John Gibb — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

One of the biggest challenges facing Dunedin statistician John Harraway is helping strengthen the statistics capability of African countries.

Crowds for first day of summer school

John Gibb — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

More than 1000 students flocked to the University of Otago campus yesterday for the first day of the university's latest annual summer school.

Top line-up for 'Orientadium'

Matthew Haggart — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:25:00 +1300

Shapeshifter has been announced as the second top Kiwi music act to headline with New Zealand rockers Shihad at the Otago University Students Association's Orientation event at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, next month.

Gains for Polytech's Maori

Matthew Haggart — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:27:00 +1300

Initiatives to boost Maori student achievement levels at Otago Polytechnic are improving, although course and qualification completion rates remain "significantly lower" than that of other learners, a New Zealand Qualifications Authority report says.

Professorships for 14 university academics showing 'excellence'

John Gibb — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:29:00 +1300

Fourteen leading University of Otago academics are being promoted to full professorships, reflecting their "proven records of excellence".

Female dentistry professor a first

John Gibb — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:27:00 +1300

Associate Prof Bernadette Drummond will soon become the first female professor of dentistry in the 104-year history of the University of Otago Faculty of Dentistry.

Big cost for university to insure

Matthew Haggart — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:32:00 +1300

The University of Otago will incur a significant financial hit to insure its $2.3 billion worth of building and contents assets next year.

Interest in early humans fillip for researchers

John Gibb — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:28:00 +1300

University of Otago graduate Prof Tom Higham has been surprised by the extent of media interest in Oxford University research showing the first modern humans arrived in Europe thousands of years earlier than previously thought.

Pigeons move up pecking order

John Gibb — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:28:00 +1300

University of Otago graduate Dr Damian Scarf remains unflappable, despite a surge of international media interest in his research showing pigeons are no bird-brains in their numerical abilities.

Glowing report for Otago Polytechnic

Matthew Haggart — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:18:00 +1300

Otago Polytechnic has been given a ringing endorsement by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority for the quality of its educational performance.

Grant will speed up liver-damage study

John Gibb — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:28:00 +1300

Planned University of Otago research into obesity-related liver damage has been boosted by funding in the annual Laurenson Awards.

No funding for milk research

Elspeth McLean — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:28:00 +1300

University of Otago health researchers have been unable to attract $700,000 from the dairy industry for further study into a possible link between the consumption of milk and reduced bowel cancer rates.

Japanese graduand calls her own tune

Ellie Constantine — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:28:00 +1300

After rousing Scottish spirits for decades, the anthem Scotland the Brave inspired Kaho Sakakura to delve into a foreign culture while living on foreign soil.