University of Otago animal research centre opposed by animal rights activists

Posted 10:33am Sunday 22nd May 2016 by Anonymous Bird

On May 11 the University of Otago announced plans to build a $50 million animal research centre on campus.  The SPCA have actively opposed the plans, with the New Zealand chief executive explaining that animal testing causes unnecessary pain and suffering. He told the Otago Daily Times that Read more...

Asbestos discovered in University Dental School

Posted 10:36am Sunday 8th May 2016 by Joe Higham

Building material that could contain asbestos has been discovered in the ground floor of the Otago University Dental School on Thursday morning. Otago University exclusively told Critic on Thursday evening: “there is no risk to people in the building, but we are taking a cautious Read more...

Otago top ranked scientific research university in New Zealand

Posted 10:43am Sunday 1st May 2016 by Anonymous Bird

The University of Otago has been ranked the top university in New Zealand for publishing high-quality scientific research papers, according to the Nature Publishing Group.  This follows on from last year, where the university was also ranked first, second in 2014, and first again in Read more...

Otago researchers tripping (over their feet for psychedelic research)

Posted 10:31am Sunday 24th April 2016 by Sally Wilkins

Dunedin academics are part of an international resurgence into psychedelic drug research within a medicinal context.   “Psychedelics” are a class of drugs characterized by their mind-altering qualities and include LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and mescaline containing cacti. Read more...

Mental health counselling “pilot” under scrutiny

Posted 10:27am Sunday 24th April 2016 by Joe Higham

Critic has obtained information revealing a worrying situation in regard to the University’s handling of student’s mental health issues.  The counselling “pilot” scheme that the University of Otago has implemented recently has caused concern to some people, due to the Read more...

Otago University Faces On-going Issue Of Declining Enrollment

Posted 10:14am Sunday 10th April 2016 by Joe Higham

Otago University saw a 2.2 percent decline in overall student enrollments in 2015, with 2016’s enrollment numbers set to be announced at a University Council Meeting on Tuesday afternoon.  With humanities and commerce departments feeling the brunt of the declining numbers over the Read more...

“Increased Vigilance” Sees Student Offences Up 20 Percent In 2015

Posted 10:24am Sunday 3rd April 2016 by Joe Higham

Although 2014 witnessed a nine percent drop in overall offending in comparison to 2013, that figure did increase by almost 20 percent during 2015 when compared to 2014, with 576 separate incidents occurring. The large majority of those were simply disorderly behaviour, which totaled 174, while other Read more...

Otago Uni Dentistry Chomps Into World Rankings

Posted 10:30am Sunday 3rd April 2016 by Henry Napier

The University of Otago may not be Harvard or Oxford, but Dunedin-trained dentists can rest assured that their degree is among the highest quality in the world after earning 12th place in the world university rankings. Last week the sixth edition of QS World University Rankings by subject was Read more...

CC ’fucking’ TV

Posted 10:36am Sunday 6th March 2016 by Henry Napier

The University of Otago has confirmed their intention to install CCTV cameras throughout a number of student populated streets in Dunedin, with the aim being to keep Otago University students safer. The specific areas intended for the CCTV surveillance are still being finalised, however proposed Read more...

Four Months Enough For Proctor

Posted 10:48am Sunday 6th March 2016 by Joe Higham

The Proctor of Otago University, Dave Miller, has resigned from the position. He has accepted a job offer from the justice sector, which is where he was employed prior to becoming Proctor just four months ago.  Miller took over from Simon Thompson in late October, who had been Proctor for 15 Read more...