PHOTO
Who says you can't lick free ice-cream?
Students taking part in the University of Otago's latest summer school were welcomed yesterday not only by the taste of free ice-cream but also by the roar of Japanese drums.
The ice-cream was provided by school organisers during a noon function at the University Union to welcome students to the university's 15th annual summer school.
And the drumming came from members of a Dunedin Japanese drumming group, O-Taiko, which includes Otago University staff, students and members of the public.
Summer school students were greeted by school director Elaine Webster and Otago University Students Association (OUSA) president Paul Hunt at a noon welcome outside the University Union building.
Dr Webster said the school was working closely with OUSA and would also be offering a weekly series of social events at noon on Wednesdays.
Otago University last year changed aspects of its online enrolment system, and university officials said there had also been changes in school enrolment patterns this year.
Although overall student numbers at the school were down on last year, the enrolment pattern itself had also changed, with more students continuing to enrol each day this week.
Under the previous pattern, more students had enrolled earlier, but some later withdrew from papers early in the year.
A second-year paper in forensic biology has remained the school's most popular paper this year, attracting about 140 students, up about 15 on last year, officials said.
An English first-year paper on effective writing was also popular, with about 48 takers, and several other existing papers, including in business and law, had also attracted strong interest.
Students can take a maximum of two papers at the school.
By taking school papers, students can gain credit for courses with six weeks of study instead of about 13 weeks usually required to complete equivalent papers during the main university study year.