Technical Services Manager Steve Swindells (right) explains the value of the Clinical Service Building's new Technical Services Laboratory to Education Minister Chris Hipkins during the Minister's visit last week.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins declared Kiwi's teeth to be in good hands at Otago's Faculty of Dentistry, following a tour of the new Clinical Services Building last week.
Mr Hipkins visited the new building on Friday, following a meeting with University representatives including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) and Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Blaikie, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) Professor Paul Brunton, and President of Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) James Heath.
"Having Mr Hipkins here was an honour. We're proud of the Clinical Services Building that combines a modern and fully functional dental hospital with state-of-the-art teaching facilities."
The tour of the Clinical Services Building was hosted by dental students Ming Yap, Rereahu Jefferies and Jesse Lewis, and University Chancellor Dr Roydon Somerville. It included explanations of many aspects of the new building and new equipment – and the vast improvements in research, treatment and teaching those investments will allow.
Minister Hipkins said the “really good visit” was “a welcome opportunity to hear first-hand the latest developments at Otago University”.
“The new dental school is very impressive. It is cutting edge technology and a great space for dental training and dental services, and just a couple of steps away from the dental researchers. Kiwis' teeth are in good hands.”
Professor Blaikie says having Mr Hipkins tour the new building was a good chance to show a senior Government minister what an asset the country has in the Clinical Services Building.
“Having Mr Hipkins here was an honour. We're proud of the Clinical Services Building that combines a modern and fully functional dental hospital with state-of-the-art teaching facilities; it's a great space to work, teach and research in, and it was good to be able to communicate that to the Minister.”