New Zealand university graduates have been luckier in their lives and education than many people in other countries and should strive to make the world a better place.
University of Otago vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne made those comments on Wednesday when she addressed about 30 Otago University teaching graduates at a 4pm graduation ceremony at the Civic Theatre in Invercargill.
She also told told graduates that, as young people, educated in New Zealand, "you don't know how lucky you are".
Throughout the world a child died every three seconds because of illnesses and diseases "that have never darkened your doorstep".
"You are also lucky because you have received a level of education that is still unavailable to many people in other parts of the world."
There were 85 million illiterate people in China and 70% of them were female.
And recent estimates indicated there were also more than 200 million illiterate women in India.
"Yet, here in New Zealand, it was taken for granted that all of you, irrespective of your gender, would learn to read."
With all this luck there came "a bit of obligation".
"First, I challenge you to share the world-class education that you have just received to teach the next generation of young New Zealanders."
She also challenged graduates to "make the world a better place", including through taking on the challenge of "working in schools where children and young people are living in chaotic environments and where school may be the primary source of stability in their lives".
