Former 'scarfies' reunite at Link

Almost 600 alumni from the University of Otago have registered to attend a function today, which is set to be one of the biggest in the history of the university.

It has been about a decade since the university last held a function for its former graduates in Dunedin, alumni spokeswoman Alison Finigan said.

About 500 Otago graduates had attended an alumni function in Wellington last year, but registrations for today's reception have surpassed that figure, she said.

The university's director of development and alumni functions Associate Prof David Gerard will be master of ceremonies for the event, which will also double as an occasion for former graduates to be introduced to new vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne.

The popularity and interest shown by alumni who have registered was no surprise, with the timing of the event alongside the Dunedin-hosted Rugby World Cup games an additional drawcard, Ms Finigan said.

The university exerted a "real pull down through the years" for many graduates, staff, and former students.

"There is a lot of nostalgia and affection for the university and it runs very deep. People like to celebrate their connection to Otago with other ex-scarfies," she said.

Former All Black, Rhodes Scholar, and distinguished alumnus Chris Laidlaw is a guest speaker, while many graduates from the 1980s era have expressed their delight at a scheduled performance from Dunedin-sound band the Verlaines, Ms Finigan said.

The band's 40-minute set will be streamed live on the internet, she said.

The alumni reception is being held between 3pm and 5pm at the Link, Information Services Building, which most alumni should be familiar with as the university central library on the corner of Albany and Cumberland Sts.