@Otago Issue 40
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Alumni Global Lens Photography Competition 2024
We would like to invite you as a member of the University of Otago alumni commun...
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Sharing a special southern connection – three judges back where it all began
In a rare event, the three sitting judges for the Court of Appeal which takes pl...
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South East Asia Alumni Events
The Development and Alumni Relations Office was thrilled to be able to meet with...
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Inaugural Chair in Freshwater Sciences announced
The University of Otago is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Ro...
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Two journeys, one destination
Kōrero with Te Papa curators Katie Cooper and Rebecca Rice. In conversation with...
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Fighting false information
Keeping communities safe is the focus of work by social media researchers such a...
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Q&A with Grahame Morton, New Zealand’s Ambassador to China
From his first posting in the Cook Islands to his current position as New Zealan...
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Friendship and cooperation at forefront of Timor-Leste university visit
The highlight of a recent visit to Otago by senior leaders from the national uni...
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Alumni in the News Issue 40
Doctoral graduand Te Hira Paenga wrote his thesis entirely in Te Reo Māori, a fi...
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Hot Picks Issue 40
Be entertained and feed your mind with our Hot Picks. You can relax in the comfo...
Doctoral graduand Te Hira Paenga wrote his thesis on the links between kapahaka and theology entirely in Te Reo, a first for Otago's Theology Programme.
Thesis in Te Reo Māori Te Reo, a first for Otago's Theology Programme
Te Hira Paenga is the first at Otago to write a doctoral thesis entirely in Te Reo Māori through the Theology Programme.
His thesis is also the first to analyse the links between Māori performance art, called kapahaka, and theology.
Writing his thesis in Te Reo was no easy task – Te Hira says he was researching a culture which prioritises oral language over written language, then putting his research into a structured essay format within which there are expectations around being linguistically correct
“I had to push myself extremely hard, to drive and re-read over and over again. The subtle things like the commas, macrons and the addition of new Māori words and concepts were crucial as this was the first Te Reo thesis in Theology.”
At the Otago Sports awards with Melanie in the middle
Head impact study wins Otago sports award
The Otago Community Head Impact Detection study (ORCHID), a joint project between World Rugby, Prevent Biometrics, New Zealand Rugby, Otago Rugby and the University of Otago, won the Innovation in Sport award at this year's Otago Sports awards.
Study lead Otago alumna Associate Professor Melanie Bussey (PhD, 2005) says, “Being nominated for the award by the sports community was incredibly rewarding. This recognition reflects the strong collaborative effort with many community organisations and it resonated deeply with many people.”
Head impact study wins Otago Sports award | University of Otago
Otago alumna Dr Sainimere Boladuadua receiving her scholarship certificate at the Fulbright awards ceremony last week, with the United States Consul General Sarah Nelson, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Honorary Chair of Fulbright NZ, Rt Hon Winston Peters.
Fulbright scholarship for medical and public health alumna
Ngā mihi nui to Otago alumna Dr Sainimere Boladuadua who has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Science and Innovation Graduate Scholarship.
Sai graduated with an MBChB from Otago in 2002, a Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the Fiji School of Medicine in 2006 and a Master of Public Health (Distinction) from Otago in 2011. She is a Fellow of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine and is currently studying for her PhD at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland.
While on her Fulbright Scholarship in the United States, Sai will work with Native American communities to better understand healthcare access and experiences of families of children with acute respiratory infections. She will be based at the Johns Hopkins University’s Centre of Indigenous Health.
Otago medical and public health alumna awarded Fulbright Scholarship | University of Otago
James Kydd finalist in Marketing awards
Otago alumnus James Kydd (BCom Hons, Marketing) was a finalist in the recent 2024 YouTube NZ Marketing Awards.
With an extensive marketing career, James currently works as the Global Head of Brand Strategy and Marketing at Xero in Auckland.
Antony Bush
Otago alumnus revolutionising back care
Concerned at mixed messages for chronic back pain sufferers, Otago alumnus Antony Bush decided to write a self-help back pain guide.
Drawing from this and his own 30 years of expertise in spinal pain and working with elite athletes, Antony shares the top 10 ‘back facts’ in his book The Back Fix, which was recently published.
He says one of the key backers for his book was fellow Otago alumnus and Spinal Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Kristian (Kris) Dalzell.
Otago alumnus revolutionising back care | University of Otago