Networks and events

Highlanders

Highlanders' captain's run at Forsyth Barr Stadium

As the country shifted into Level One we were able to host a Highlanders' captain's run on 3 July and a coaches' breakfast on 4 July before the team's clash with the Crusaders. Thirty members of the Dunedin alumni community and their families were welcomed into Forsyth Barr Stadium for the captain's run, where they toured the players' sheds to get a first-hand look under the stadium. At the end of the event some of the younger visitors practised their kicking skills with members of the management team.

More than 40 people had an early start on 4 July to hear from Highlanders' coach, Tony Brown about the mental preparation needed before a game. Alumnus Simon Jones, who is the Highlanders' strength and conditioning coach, shared insights on how GPS data can inform training to improve players' performance.

Online Book Club

Half a Yellow Sun
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Membership of our online book club continue to grow as we move into our second book, “Half a Yellow Sun” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Our next book will be “The Quaker” by Liam McIlvanney, Stuart Chair in Scottish Studies at the University of Otago. The book is set in Glasgow in 1969 and won the 2018 McIlvanney Prize for the crime book of the year.

We are still welcoming members of the alumni community to join us by visiting: https://www.pbc.guru/otago

Graduations

Unfortunately August graduations were cancelled due to the return to Level Two restrictions, but graduates could collect their certificates on what would have been their graduation day. It was fantastic to see graduates, family and friends on campus taking photos and making the most of the spring weather. We were also thrilled to be able to be part of the certificate collection and welcome graduates to the alumni community.

Alumni of the University of Otago in America (AUOA)

Our AUOA Board have embraced the virtual nature of engagement that has become the norm for 2020 by hosting a webinar “Thought Leadership – Otago University and Responses to Covid-19” on Tuesday 21 July NZT. Otago's Professor Miguel Quiñones-Mateu and Associate Professor James Ussher presented on their aspects of research around Covid-19.

AUOA's next webinar “Kids, Covid and Screens” will be held on Friday 25 September NZT and will feature alumna Professor Rachel Barr and Otago's Professor Elaine Reese. Contact functions.alumni@otago.ac.nz to receive details for accessing the webinar.

Future events

Planning is underway for a variety of virtual events. Please keep an eye on your inbox for details. Please also feel free to get in touch with any ideas for future engagement either in person or online, by emailing Donnella, donnella.aitken-ferguson@otago.ac.nz