The Development & Alumni Relations Office assists University divisions and departments in maintaining and strengthening relationships with former students, who continue to benefit from their Otago experience long after studying here.
Our team has a range of resources to assist you with your alumni-related questions or activities.
Database
The Alumni and Friends database is maintained on behalf of the University to provide the most accurate data possible to retain and enhance relationships with Otago's alumni and friends. With over 90,000 contactable alumni living in more than 140 countries, the database also holds other records on individuals and organisations with an Otago connection.
The database team provides the following services to departments and staff:
- Address labels for mail-outs to alumni
- Email service for department branded newsletters, invitations and news about departmental events
- Lists (and contact details) of departmental alumni
- Information on significant alumni
- Names and brief biographical information for alumni profiles
Information can be accessed by completing an online form. If you have any questions before completing the online form email database.alumni@otago.ac.nz
The Office also manages the mailing list for the University of Otago Magazine and He Kitenga.
If you would like to add former staff and friends of your department to a mailing list, email database.alumni@otago.ac.nz
Contact Alumni Service
This service is used by alumni (and individuals/organisations) to connect with Otago alumni and staff. Email friend.alumni@otago.ac.nz
Please help us
We endeavour to keep the Alumni and Friends Database information as current as possible for university and departmental use. Many alumni contact their departments to update their details, unaware that the Office maintains the Alumni & Friends Database for the university. It would therefore be very useful if you could share address updates with us by linking our online update details form to your departmental website or using the email address database.alumni@otago.ac.nz on your website for alumni to update their details.
Events
The Office arranges around 20 events annually for Otago alumni living in New Zealand and overseas. These events offer alumni the opportunity to catch up with each other, network, and learn about recent developments at the University.
See our events schedule or email functions.alumni@otago.ac.nz for more information.
Class reunions
We assist Otago alumni to organise their class reunions.
A Reunion Guide is available and for further information email reunions.alumni@otago.ac.nz or phone 64 3 479 8487.
Networks
The Office offers support to alumni living overseas who want to establish Otago Alumni Networks in their city. Networks operate in Sydney, Melbourne, London, some American cities, Shanghai and Malaysia. The list of Networks is growing all the time!
Fundraising and development opportunities
The Office organises and manages the University of Otago Annual Appeal to raise funds for scholarships and research.
The Office provides support to University departments considering department campaigns. We provide advice and support to alumni, friends, organisations and reunion groups wanting to raise funds or make a donation for scholarships, prizes and/or research initiatives. We also welcome enquiries from individuals who would like to consider leaving a bequest to the University of Otago.
For any fundraising enquiry or further information, please email development@otago.ac.nz or phone +64 3 4795246 for more information.
Alumni Office
We offer alumni and friends of Otago a standing invitation to visit us at the Alumni office on the ground floor of the Clocktower building. Enter through the main entrance and ask the staff at reception for directions.
Contact us
Visit the Alumni & Friends Website or email alumni@otago.ac.nz with any questions or ideas.