University of Otago

Shuttlecocks and Spirit Awards 🏆🏸

Three students from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology recently competed at the 2026 Tertiary Badminton Cup. They ranked fourth overall and were awarded the Spirit Award for determination and passion for the sport 💪

"Receiving the spirit award was a major moment of pride for us as it reflected the resolve we brought to each of our games,” team member Julie Luong says.

Read more about this award-winning team here ⬇️

Competition fierce but Otago sportswomen resolute Plenty of determination was on display when the three School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology students representing Otago took to the court at the 2026 Tertiary Badminton Cup.

Top 200 looks good on us - and the numbers agree 😎 The latest QS World University Rankings are out, and we’re proud to be ranked at 198🌎 With over 1,500 institutions evaluated, QS offers the most comprehensive view of global higher education 💙💛

Read more here ⬇️
https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/otago-retains-top-200-ranking

We love a win-win situation 🧪✨

The Queenstown Lakes District Council has partnered with the Otago Business School, inviting postgraduate students to tackle local economic issues and growth 📈

This opportunity offers a real-life 'living lab' experience for economic and business school postgraduates, engaging their keen minds to support local council.

“The sense of real-world impact was the attractive aspect for me. Knowing that the analysis could potentially influence local policy and planning decisions made the work particularly meaningful and motivating," PhD candidate Syed Zulqernain Hussain says.

Read more about this unique experience here ⬇️

Queenstown Lakes District a ‘living lab’ for Otago postgraduates When a region that’s undergoing rapid growth and unique economic and environmental pressures offers itself up to a university business school as a ‘living lab’, the town-and-gown synergy of it all is quite irresistible.

Aliens at Otago?? 🤯🛸

No, just the immersive, interactive simulation that sends postgraduate students on an extraterrestrial academic quest 👽

ZOOL412 Neurobiology and Behaviour is a paper that gets students to investigate fictional alien animals on a distant planet, teaching them how to research and use data to inform scientific discoveries ✨

“That feeling of discovery – to me, that’s the essence of science. We wanted to capture that feeling in a bottle for students,” Senior Lecturer Bart Geurten says.

Read more about this incredible paper here ⬇️

Simulation outbreak traced to Zoology Department Forget 'Dungeons and Dragons', it’s 'Basements and Aliens' in the steampunk surrounds of Zoology's historic Marples Building.

From Castle St to King's honour 👑

Otago alumnus Rodney Wong may have started out in a flat called "The Hovel" but he's come a long way since then - becoming a CEO, starring in a documentary and, most recently, being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and the community.

For Rodney, “Opportunities multiply as they are seized” isn’t just a quote - it’s a blueprint. “When people ask me to do something, I invariably say yes if I can.”

Read more about Rodney here ⬇️

Former ‘Hovel’ inhabitant recognised by King Otago alumnus Rodney Wong (黃 华 鈴) says his favourite quote comes from philosopher Sun Tzu: “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”

Welcoming new connections 🤝💫

Otago's Faculty of Medicine in Christchurch Ōtautahi recently welcomed four Indigenous health academics from the Australian National University in Canberra ✨

This visit marks an important step in developing a long-term partnership focused on Indigenous health education, social accountability, and academic excellence.

“The developing relationship reflects Otago’s ongoing leadership in Indigenous health education and its commitment to building partnerships that deliver mutual benefit for students, staff, and Indigenous communities,” Head of the Department of Māori Indigenous Health Innovation Dr Maira Patu says.

Read more about this special visit here ⬇️

Trans-Tasman visit strengthens Indigenous health education ties Otago’s Faculty of Medicine – Christchurch Ōtautahi recently welcomed four Indigenous health academics from the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, marking an important step in developing a long-term partnership focused on Indigenous health education, social accountability, and ac...

Better detection, better outcomes 💪🔬

Researchers in Otago's Faculty of Medicine have been awarded a Health Research Council of New Zealand grant of almost $1.2 million for their project to transform early prostate cancer detection with a blood-based epigenetic test 🥼

Led by Dr Euan Rodger, Associate Professor Aniruddha Chatterjee and Dr Jim Smith, this research seeks to develop an improved and accessible blood-based test that will provide an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer.

“If treated early, long-term survival rates for prostate cancer are exceptionally high. Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia have some of the highest prostate cancer rates in the world, so we stand to benefit the most from this research," Jim says.

Read more about this research here ⬇️

Better prostate cancer detection tool on the horizon Promising Otago research into a way to better diagnose prostate cancer has received a major funding boost.

One rule changed their University experience: Say yes 🙂‍↕️🎓

Manaaki Scholars Maritsa Nisa and Latu Mafi arrived in Dunedin from overseas, not knowing anybody. Instead of letting uncertainty hold them back, they said yes to new experiences.

This mindset led to research opportunities, mentoring roles, cultural leadership, and communities they can now call home 🏠❤️

Read more about Manaaki Scholars Latu Mafi and Maritsa Nisa here ⬇️

Said yes, saw results From an “awkward” start to having a jampacked schedule – saying yes has resulted in Manaaki Scholar Latu Mafi making the most of every opportunity that has come her way during her time at Otago.

A major prize for Otago endometrial cancer researcher 💫

PhD student Tiffany Ilott from Christchurch Ōtautahi’s Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine has been awarded a prestigious US$10,000 Zonta Women in STEM Award for her research into endometrial cancer 🔬

This award recognises outstanding women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, supporting emerging researchers whose work shows strong potential to make a meaningful impact in their fields.

"I am deeply grateful to receive this prestigious international award and thankful for the recognition it brings to my work in the field of endometrial cancer research," Tiffany says.

Read more about this award-winning research here ⬇️

Global award for PhD student’s endometrial cancer research PhD student Tiffany Ilott has been awarded a prestigious US$10,000 Zonta Women in STEM Award for her research into endometrial cancer.

What makes the Billie McLeod Trust so special? 💫

This new Trust has been established for Otago's School of Physiotherapy to support student and staff wellbeing, high-quality education and improved outcomes for New Zealand communities 📚

"It meets the needs of a community of physiotherapists who need funding opportunities in a way that directly leads to tangible outcomes they can immediately implement into the work they do," Dean of the School of Physiotherapy, Associate Professor Cathy Chapple says.

Read more about the Trust here ⬇️

New Trust a testament to physiotherapy’s past and future The School of Physiotherapy has established the Billie McLeod Trust to support student vaccinations and rural clinical placements, and professional development for Professional Practice Fellows.