The University of Otago cherishes its longstanding partnership with the Pacific, says vice-chancellor Professor David Murdoch.
He was in the country to attend the Fiji Otago Alumni reunion at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s residence last Friday.
He commended Pacific scholars who were alumni of the university.
“With the University of Otago, we’ve had a long standing connection throughout the Pacific and longstanding relationships with Fiji and other countries,” he said.
“This trip is actually after three years. This is a mixture of reconnecting with our alumni group plus also reconnecting with a lot of our institutions, that includes Fiji National University and quite a few other tertiary institutions so quite a few reasons for the trip.
“These were regular events for us to come out and really for us to engage with our Pacific partners so we’ve kind of missed the opportunity to meet face to face.”
According to Prof Murdoch, they felt a strong responsibility towards the region.
“We feel a real obligation to partner with the institutions of the Pacific and working with colleagues so this is really important.”
Fiji Otago Alumni president Joji Malani said the University of Otago had taught its alumni everything they needed from all areas of studies and life skills for survival.
“When we came across to study, it was more than study; it was the totality of life,” he said.
“In my view, the Otago culture fulfilled five things: students enjoying a tremendous student experience; well qualified, passionate teaching faculty; a supportive campus learning environment, substantial learning resources and a city that is proud to be part of the student journey.”
Prominent alumni of the university include former president and prime minister, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
