The University of Otago was founded in 1869 by early Scottish settlers to Dunedin. Those settlers knew that education was crucial to improving the lives of their children and grandchildren. They wanted a better life, a more egalitarian life, that provided opportunity for all, and they knew that the way to achieve that goal was through education. 150 years later, Otago is now a world-class University providing comprehensive educational opportunities and a collegiate experience that is second to none. In this presentation, I will briefly trace some of Otago’s major historical milestones. I will also describe some of our current initiatives, including our new dental facility in South Auckland. Finally, I will outline the path for our future, particularly our goals for maximising the health, well-being, and success of our students and our communities.
