奧塔哥大學

University of Otago researchers have discovered how bacteria killing viruses outwit the former by hiding from its defence. This is an important finding for development of new virus-based antimicrobials, an important advance in biological knowledge.

Lead researcher Professor Peter Fineran explains, “From a biological perspective, our results provide exciting new insights into how phages evade bacterial defence systems. This is important because the rise of the multi-drug resistant bacteria is an issue of global concern, which has led to a renewed interest in using phages as anti-bacterials and jumbo phages may provide excellent therapeutics.”

Lucia Malone, first author of study and PhD student (Department of Microbiology and Immunology) says, “We had molecular and genetic evidence for what was happening, but we really needed to see directly inside these tiny bacteria, which if 100 lined up side-by-side would be the width of a human hair.”

The University of Otago is the top university in New Zealand for educational performance. Otago is New Zealand’s only university offering both academic excellence and outstanding student experience. Otago leads the way when it comes to research-led, world-class teaching and student lifestyle. Unmatched record in the National Teaching Excellence Awards: six Supreme Award winners over the past eight years.

The university tops all of the TEC (Tertiary Education Commission) educational performance indicators for areas such as course and qualification completions, retention of students, as well as progression to higher study. Students at Otago benefit from research-led teaching and are taught by academic staff who are dedicated to teaching, as well as internationally recognised for their research.

Student speak

“I have had a wonderful experience with the staff, they are very approachable. I have found that studying is not merely learning, it is much more than that, it has become an exciting and fun task for me. Even in the theoretical classes, concepts are taught in a practical way. And the labs are simply amazing. Otago has made both the living and the learning invigorating.” - Khushboo Soni (India)/ Bachelor of Applied Science (Forensic Analytical Science)

To help international students achieve their goal of studying at Otago, the University of Otago Language Centre and Foundation Year (UOLCFY) offers a pathway for students to meet the entrance requirements for both undergraduate and postgraduate study. The UOLCFY also provides excellent preparation for academic study.

The University of Otago Language Centre delivers a range of English-language programmes, as well as pathway programmes leading to further study. Five levels of tuition in general English are offered, from elementary to advanced. The lessons are learner-centred and the materials reflect a contemporary New Zealand context. The average class has 14 students and is a full-time course of 23 hours a week. Upon completion of a programme, each student receives a certificate and a report detailing their achievement.

The University of Otago foundation year offers a programme of two 13-week semesters where students can choose to study one of the four academic streams which align with the four University of Otago academic divisions: business/commerce, health science, arts/humanities and science/applied science/life science. Students who successfully complete the ten paper, 26-week programme are awarded the Foundation Studies Certificate. This certificate guarantees students’ entry to their chosen University of Otago first-year course (except those with limited intakes) and is recognised by all New Zealand universities as an entrance qualification.

Students in the UOLCFY are offered full student support services, a comprehensive orientation and a weekly programme of student activities and events.

Violina Gunawan, former Foundation Year student and recipient of 2019 Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship said, “UOLCFY has provided an excellent academic and non-academic transition. I feel very safe and well-supported studying here. The amount of help that is offered is unbelievable and it makes me feel that I belong here and I deserve the chance to be successful.”

For all international students whose first language is not English, evidence of a satisfactory level of English language proficiency must be provided. Students should include with their application a certified statement of results from an accepted English language test that has been taken within two years of the start of their proposed studies at Otago.

For undergraduate study, students will usually need the equivalent of IELTS 6.0 overall in the academic module, with no individual band below 5.5. For postgraduate study, students will usually need the equivalent of IELTS 6.5 overall in the academic module, with no individual band below 6.0. Some courses may have a higher English language requirement and students are advised to check with the International Office.

To study at the University of Otago, students also need a recognised university entrance qualification, along with the required score in a recognised English language test. The university recognises many international qualifications as equivalent to a New Zealand qualification for entry.

For undergraduate study, it offers both general and specialised bachelors' degrees. Specialised degrees have additional entry requirements and limits on the number of students who may enrol to general bachelor’s degrees.

The entry requirements for students who wish to pursue postgraduate study differs by programme, with most of them requiring a qualification at a bachelor’s degree level in the same area of study, and some having requirements like relevant work experience.

Some master’s degrees require students to complete a postgraduate diploma, then proceed to their second year of study. If students are interested in studying a new subject at postgraduate level, the university has a diploma for graduates, which can act as a bridge to postgraduate study.

To study a PhD, students usually require a master’s degree or good honour’s degree in the same or related discipline as their intended area of research.

The university has a number of scholarships, bursaries, fellowships, and grants for students who pursue undergraduate studies and are committed to excellence in academics. International students may be eligible for a New Frontiers Scholarship or Health Science Entrance Scholarship, awards based on academic accomplishment, measured by official secondary school qualifications or pre-degree level tertiary grade point average.

The University of Otago also provides a range of master’s degree awards as well as doctoral scholarships (for levels of study such as PhD and other doctoral-levels of study). These scholarships are awarded by Otago depending on the academic merit, research ability (if applicable) as well as suitability within the department.

The University of Otago currently offers the New Zealand Excellence Award (NZEA) for students from India, and there are New Zealand Aid Programme Scholarships for the citizens of several developing countries, to help them undertake tertiary level study or vocational training. There is also the ASEAN Scholarship, which recognises New Zealand’s close cultural, economic, and geographic ties with Southeast Asia.

The graduates of the University of Otago are highly sought-after globally as they are known for their negotiating and interpersonal skills. Additionally, they possess analytical and conceptual skills, as well as independent judgement.

The university’s career development centre’s new employability award programme, OtagoExtra equips students with the skills they require for life after they graduate.

The centre has been voted the best among New Zealand’s universities two years consecutively by the New Zealand Association for Graduate Employers (NZAGE).

The university’s Division of Commerce, the Otago Business School is an Asia-Pacific leader in education and holds EQUIC and AACSB accreditation, ensuring its qualifications are globally portable and internationally recognised. Its business graduates have an excellent reputation in the international business arena and are well-known throughout the world for their independence and practicality, derived from the Otago culture.

Health science graduates from the University of Otago are well respected throughout the world for their skills, and their clinical and research excellence. All health science programmes at the university include substantial clinical or laboratory-based learning, providing students with the experience, skills and knowledge necessary to prepare them for a rewarding and successful career as a healthcare provider.

Students of humanities are encouraged to embrace critical thinking, applying ground-breaking methodologies, theories and approaches to make sense of human experience.

The Division of Sciences develops the essential lifelong learning skills that employers seek such as critical thinking, communication skills, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and analytical and problem-solving skills.