University of Otago
| Latin: Universitas Otagensis | |
Other name | Otago University |
|---|---|
| Motto | Sapere aude |
Motto in English | Dare to be wise |
| Type | Public research collegiate university |
| Established | 1869 |
| Endowment | NZD $279.9 million (31 December 2021) |
| Budget | NZD $756.8 million (31 December 2020) |
| Chancellor | Trish Oakley |
| Vice-Chancellor | Grant Robertson |
Academic staff | 1,744 (2019) |
Administrative staff | 2,246 (2019) |
| Students | 21,240 (2019) |
| Undergraduates | 15,635 (2014) |
| Postgraduates | 4,378 (2014) |
| 1,579 (2019) | |
| Location | , , New Zealand 45°51′56″S 170°30′50″E / 45.86556°S 170.51389°E |
| Campus | Urban/University town 45 hectares (110 acres) |
| Student Magazine | Critic |
| Colours | Dunedin Blue and Gold |
| Affiliations | MNU |
| Website | otago |
The University of Otago (Māori: Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka) is a public research collegiate university based in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Founded in 1869, Otago is New Zealand's oldest university and one of the oldest universities in Oceania.
The university was created by a committee led by Thomas Burns, and officially established by an ordinance of the Otago Provincial Council in 1869. Between 1874 and 1961 the University of Otago was a part of the federal University of New Zealand, and issued degrees in its name.
Otago is known for its vibrant student life, particularly its flatting, which is often in old houses. Otago students have a long-standing tradition of naming their flats. The nickname for Otago students, "Scarfie," comes from the habit of wearing a scarf during the cold southern winters. The nickname "Scarfie" has morphed into the nickname "Breather" in recent years. The university's graduation song, Gaudeamus igitur, iuvenes dum sumus ("Let us rejoice, while we are young"), acknowledges students will continue to live up to the challenge, if not always in the way intended. The university's student magazine, Critic, is New Zealand's longest running student magazine.