Founded in 1869 by an ordinance of the Otago Provincial Council, the University of Otago holds the distinction of being New Zealand’s oldest university. The university is well-known for its lively student community, particularly the distinctive flatting culture embraced by students, who are fondly referred to as “Scarfies” for their habit of wearing scarves in the chilly southern winters. This lively community essence is captured in the university’s student magazine, Critic, which is New Zealand’s oldest student publication​​. University of Otago is organised into four divisions: Health Sciences, Sciences, Humanities, and the Otago Business School, providing a wide array of courses across different disciplines. This framework demonstrates Otago’s dedication to leveraging its research capabilities to enhance health, wealth, and overall well-being on a local and international scale. Otago is distinguished by its significant number of PhD students, demonstrating its prominence in postgraduate education in New Zealand. The primary campus of Otago is situated in Dunedin, a city renowned for its lively student population. With additional campuses in Invercargill, Christchurch, and Wellington, the university highlights its broad coverage in health sciences, showcasing its commitment to various areas of higher education and research. Otago provides a diverse and inclusive environment for learning and discovery with around 20,000 students from over 100 nations​​. The University of Otago has been ranked in the 301-350 range in the World University Rankings 2024 and holds the 63rd position in the Impact Rankings 2023. These rankings showcase Otago’s strong reputation in education and research, as well as its dedication to making a positive impact on society.