The event – named D.A.R.E (Discover, Achieve, Research and Engage) Otago - involved staff and students from the campus sharing their career and study stories and demonstrating the full breadth of health science pathways. Many of the talks were given by some of the campus' more than 700-strong postgraduate student population. Secondary students from almost 30 schools were also introduced to the many different areas of health research at the University of Otago, Christchurch, through interactive displays.
Professor Vicky Cameron is the Christchurch campus' Deputy Dean and has a responsibility for external engagement. She says the staff and students involved in the day told such inspiring stories about their career journeys; research teams provided engaging talks and displays in the foyer; and professional staff welcomed the students and acted as guides.
The University's school liaison officer for Canterbury Prajesh Chhanabhai says feedback on the event was fantastic.