Te Aka Tauira - Issue One 2022

Issue 1

Te Aka Tauira

Inside: Real life CSI Meet your 2022 OUSA President Finding Support at Otago

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Finding Support at Otago Life at Red > Where to find assistance

February News This issue: » Volleyball champions » Real-life CSI » Meet your 2022 OUSA President » Pics of the month » Events calendar » Study tips: time management » Undergraduate research success » Afghan Students Association

Moving out of home, starting off in a new city, finding your way around an unfamiliar campus, adulting – it can be overwhelming. Here at Otago we have some amazing resources, teams and staff who are here to help. To get you started on finding your way around life at Otago, here are some useful links:

» Shakespeare with a twist » Change for Radio One » The substance of a selfie Cover image: Forensic Biiology Summer School paper

» COVID-19 student information » Te Aka Tauira » Otago University Students Association

In other news:

» OUSA Hub » Finding your way around » Otago Libraries » Events » Student Development » Student Academic Services » Sustainability Office » Career Development Centre » Te Whare Tawharau » Campus Watch » Student Health 2

» Fashion with a Passion » The Landward Wave Science Summer Scholarship » Summer archaeology dig » COVID-19 Student Welfare

Volleyball success The ultimate summer plans involve days in the sun surrounded by golden sand and waves, which is exactly what was on the cards for teams attending the University Tertiary Sport New Zealand (UTSNZ) Beach Volleyball Championship.

The Championship was held at Mount Maunganui, Tauranga and saw students from across the country arriving to compete for the top title.

Placing second in the Men’s Championship were surveying student Keegan Joe and commerce student Henare Richards. Taking out second place in the Women’s Championship were Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery student Seraphine Williams and fourth-year physiotherapy student Hikaru Han. Among the representatives from University of Otago was Master of Sport Science student Will White.

“There isn’t really an Otago Beach Volleyball team so we organised this ourselves. The competition itself is pretty casual. We have crazy amounts of talent in Otago but we don’t see it so often, it’s definitely there so don’t be afraid to get involved,” Will says.

While this year’s competition has officially come to a close, there are still plenty

“We have crazy amounts of talent in Otago - don’t be afraid to get involved.”

of opportunities to get involved with volleyball and other sports through UTSNZ and Unipol.

A blood-soaked learning lesson The Forensic Biology paper is a once-a-year experience and highlight for many undergraduates. This year students are investigating a mock crime scene which takes place after what at first glance appears to be a game night.

Politics and Criminology student Alex Leckie-Zaharic says it’s an area he has always found intriguing.

“I grew up with an interest in true crime. For most of us, looking at things ‘outside of the norm’ that we wouldn’t do ourselves, is fascinating. Our first tutorial is analysing a crime scene - I think anyone with a passing interest in true crime would enjoy that.

“It’s only week two and we have already had four guest lecturers who are all knowledgeable in their areas. It’s exciting because these people are real experts and give us real case examples. This is quite a different paper from what I’ve previously done in Summer School.”

Among the guest lecturers is Rachel Nickerson who trains Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Wellington.

Rachel is one expert who was consulted when the mock crime scene was crafted several years ago and says one of the key skills the course focusses on is communication.

“The most important skill with forensics is the ability to communicate your findings. If you can’t speak at an appropriate level it will negatively impact your work.”

PICS OF THE MONTH

Students developing games for Computer Game Design, Summer School

Student archaeology dig at Doctors Point during summer

“Phil” the campus duck poses for a photo unaware of his secret admirer

Have an image to show off?

Kaiser Coles plays “Lyon” in this year’s Summer Shakespeare

Send it to: communications@otago.ac.nz

Meet your 2022 OUSA President: Melissa Lama Last year I was the University of Otago Pacific Islands Student

I’d like to work with the University on how we can collaborate,

Association (OPISA) President. Being among OUSA executive in

advocate for the issues brought up by students and work on a lot

this role made me aware of the different happenings around the

of the sustainability goals we have set over the years. There is so

University on a strategic level. I also felt I had a lot to give from

much more I want to learn in the sustainability area.

my experience of being a young mum, trying to study and all my other different social obstacles. I felt I could serve students and get

What aspects of the usual student experience are still on

them engaged in decision making. While I’m in this role I want to

offer in our current climate?

make myself a really accessible president for everybody. I want to

While all our big events for Orientation Week have had to be

bring in some of my Pacific culture and my community and be a representative for them in this space – we can branch out.

What do you feel are the main issues currently faced by students?

Obviously COVID-19 is a big one with all of its different changes which seem to occur on a daily basis. There is also the transition of leaving home and understanding how the tertiary system works.

There are a lot of wellbeing issues and students come here with a lot

cancelled, we are still working to create other opportunities which fit in with government guidelines. It won’t be the same but I do want to highlight Clubs and Socs is still open, the four-dollar lunches are on again, and Radio One and The Critic are back into the swing of things now too.

We have our usual OUSA support services including tenancy support, the foodbank, the hardship grants as well as the Hub - an online service which has great resources on it. We also have the

of academic expectations for themselves. There are many diverse

Radio One card which gives you access to discounts.

situations in students’ lives. I want to encourage kindness and

The President role is one of 12 executive members who are here to

support in these things. On a positive note, I think this generation of students is so full of ideas, everyone is so unique. I love discovering their energy and hearing what they bring to the table, I think we should be learning from them.

What are your aims for this year?

My aim for this year is to have as much engagement as possible with students. I’d like to have them interested in student politics and I’d like to know that what we have is reflective of them. I’d like to ensure sustainability for the Association.

represent and advocate for students.

A final word?

I’d like students to know I am someone you can talk to. I’m here to support and to listen. Most of all, I don’t want students to feel they are alone. There are always plenty of us here for you. We rally together to support, that’s what makes being a student here special.

Find out more about your 2022 Executive on the OUSA website.

STUDY TIPS FOR NEWBIES February Study Tips

Cancer survivorship, important research It’s not usual for medical students to do research on the side, and even less usual for them to be primary author on a research paper. University of Otago fifth-year medical student Cassian

Time Management

Striking the right balance between home and University life is important for your health and well-being, and to give yourself the best chance of staying on track leading up to the exam period. How do you manage your time so that you strike the right balance between home and university life? This may sound obvious, but many students tend to leave important tasks until the last minute, which can affect the quality of their work and their overall grade. Take a look at our five time management tips so you can achieve your goals: » Assess what you have to do

Duthie has recently achieved just that.

» Create a schedule

He was the primary author on his second research paper about

» Assess if your plan has been effective

prostate cancer survivorship, which looked at research on a patient’s willingness to try various sexual management strategies after their cancer treatment.

During his second year of study, Cassian worked as a Research Assistant to of Dr Erik Wibowo, from the Department of Anatomy, and Dr Charlene Rapsey from the Department of Psychological

» Avoid procrastination and distraction » Exercise to clear your head between study sessions To find out more about Time Management check out our website.

Medicine.

Originally from rural Christchurch, Cassian felt passionate about helping people and so he came to the University of Otago to pursue medicine.

“In those early years of study, a person doesn’t really think of research as a career pathway and, truthfully, neither did I because I was focused on studying hard to become a doctor,” Cassian says.

What fascinated him the most about the research process was identifying the gaps he had in his knowledge and then finding the steps to “practically pursue the answers to those gaps.”

“When you have a finding that might actually help contribute to a patient’s health in some way, that is greatly rewarding,” Cassian says.

Dr Erik Wibowo adds that, from the first time he had met Cassian, he had expressed a “genuine interest in the sexual quality of life for prostate cancer patients”.

“This is an important topic in cancer survivorship because sexual dysfunction is very common among prostate cancer patients and so we were pleased to have worked with Cassian and have been 6

grateful for his involvement in our research,” Dr Wibowo says.

Need Support?

The University COVID-19 website has just been launched to answer your questions on life at University, staying safe in Red and ways to keep busy in self-isolation. Visit us online to find out more.

Shakespeare but make it Kiwi Preparing to present a world of naughty fairies and outrageous plot-points to fascinated onlookers, the team for theis year’s Summer Shakespeare were been more than prepared for the hurdles COVID-19 could throw their way.

While navigating government mandates, the creative team have also seen this show as an opportunity to incorporate New Zealand’s own culture in traditional theatre.

Bachelor of Arts student Tomuri Spicer shares a little about

The difference community makes The Afghan Students’ Association (ASA) was founded at the end of 2020 with the intention of creating a community for the local Afghan students. This has been especially important at a time of political turbulence in Afghanistan.

ASA founder Hamid Zawari says community has been important to the group in recent times.

“It can be an isolating experience, leaving your home and your family to live in a city away from support. These young people have seen a lot, including the resurgence of collapse of Afghanistan’s government in recent times. We got a counsellor to join us who had experienced it themselves and could provide support.”

Hamid arrived in New Zealand as a former refugee. Growing up knowing his parents’ story and the need for community in order to thrive in a new home, he set out to foster a sense of cultural identity at Otago for other Afghan students.

“We formed the Association at the end of last year being aware of refugees in Dunedin and the need for a space for them. I saw an opportunity for youth who had been through so much and now at University, I thought I could help unite them.”

the special elements he’s had the joy of bringing to the show as first fairy and company musician.

“During some of our scenes, we use taonga puoro (Māori musical instruments), specifically the pūtōrino, kōauau and poiāwhiowhio, to help improve the atmosphere.

“One of the cool things about the pūtōrino is that it has several voices depending on which hole you blow into and how you blow. In the picture, I’m attempting to let the voice of Hine-raukatauri, the Māori goddess of music, sing.”

Sharing the stage with Tomuri is Theatre Studies student Kaiser Coles playing the roles of Snug and Lyon.

“A highlight for me is simply the entertainment from watching the rehearsals we do. Each time we do a full run, something is different and hilarious, giving the perfect atmosphere of such a comedic play.”

Taking to the stage as Hippolyta is molecular biotechnology and politics student Erica Julian, who is also doing a studentship in the Department of Biochemistry.

“It’s such a supportive environment. Having an incredibly talented cast and crew so willing to share their expertise has been an awesome learning experience. It’s the dynamic which creates the connection in the cast thatI think has been key to creating the magic of the show.”

“A lot of former refugee families leave Dunedin to move to cities which have denser populations of the community they know. I want to encourage a community here and show Afghan families Otago has a place for them.”

Through his work supporting the students Hamid has been the recipient of the University of Otago 20Twenties Young Alumni Award and the ACE Exceptional Adult Educator Award.

The Afghan Students’ Association will be back this year.

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Growth for Radio One While at first it may seem creativity is being stifled in the current climate, rapid growth is still very much on the radar for Radio One. “Recently we received Public Interest Journalism Funding from New Zealand on Air. The fund was announced at the start of last year in an effort to reach groups often missed by mainstream media. Radio One is a big part of the youth culture in Dunedin so it made sense to apply for funding for a Digital Content Editor in our news area,” News Manager Bonnie Harrison says.

The station had its first paid reporters through the doors last year and the team are feeling excited about bringing a successful past into the future.

“It’s such an exciting time of growth, it’s cool to see people gaining experience in journalism while still at University. It’s been an awesome community to watch grow.”

“We are always looking for volunteers. We take absolutely everyone. I had no prior experience when I joined. People wouldn’t believe the number of big-time journalists who have started their careers in student radio, particularly Radio One. It’s real experience.”

Radio One has no shortage of exciting things coming up including their brand-new current events program which will be live on weekdays at 11am.

“People wouldn’t believe the number of big-time journalists who have started their careers in student radio.”

Keep up to date by following them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Substance in a selfie?

Studying Selfies is a paper which saw students in Media, Film and Communications gaining an insight into the widely accepted part of pop culture. Over the space of six weeks, Teaching Fellow Owain Gwynne challenged students to dive deeper into this topic while exploring celebrity influence, surveillance and cyberspace.

“One of the things we have been doing in the course is challenging the way we think about selfies and seeing them as more than an attempt to gain “likes”. It’s interesting for us to look at them and see for ourselves the recurring elements and similarities of what people like to see in a selfie - the head positions or camera angles people commonly prefer.

One project the students have taken on for the duration of the course is finding ways to tell a story through the use of selfies.

“Our group decided to document postering around Dunedin.

The posters change quite often and have strong meanings, but it’s interesting to see how the meaning of them can change when they’re captured in a selfie,” says student Sol Parsons.

Distance student Grace Wood has enjoyed the introspective look into the selfie practice.

“Studying Selfies has offered an introspective look into a practice so mundane and ubiquitous that we often don’t spend much time exploring or considering all the elements that have led to it as such a global phenomenon.”

From school principal to acting student

Combining theory with practice: Video Game Design Computer Game Design is an introduction to game development which combines theory and practice, producing tangible results.

Over the course of six weeks, students teamed up to develop their own computer games as one aspect of the paper.

“Our game is called Saviour of the Lamb,” Will Rushton says. “In a tutorial we were given parameters for how our game should look, we had to create it around the idea of a ritual. The aim is to escort a lost lamb back to your farm while defending it.

What’s great about this paper is it takes the theory side of game development and the practical side and combines them in such a creative way.”

Yashasvi Shetty says her team’s game is “pretty dramatic” but has been a good learning experience.

“It’s been pretty fun. I feel like it’s a bit difficult in the fact that I have never touched game coding before and the course moves

Currently completing his Diploma for Graduates, Brent Caldwell says he joined the acting scene a little later than others after a fulfilling career as a primary school principal.

The mature student has had an eclectic career so far, completing his Diploma in Teaching at the Dunedin College of Education in 1984 followed by a Diploma in Teaching Children with Specific

fast. I feel like we have learned a lot in a very short space of time.

I kind of like it more than other papers because it’s so practical, you’re not just learning for an exam.”

Fellow team member John Marshall says the team learned to work with what they have to make something original and this helped shape their final product.

Learning Difficulties (dyslexia) at the National Hospital's College

“The main driving aspect was that in the group, none of us are

of Speech Sciences in 1992. In 2007 he completed his Master’s

particularly strong artists and because of that we decided we

in Education after nine years of part-time study.

would go for pixel art because we’d kind of get away with it more.

After years of teaching and in the face of a global change, Brent decided he was ready to pass the torch to a new principal and pursue another dream, acting.

“My most recent dramatic experience had been in writing shows for school productions and I can see what a step up this study is. I envy the kids coming through now, they get to do drama all through school in purpose-built classrooms and performing arts spaces. It’s so inspirational seeing some of the kids I started as new entrants now performing alongside me and in lunchtime theatres. There are some amazing opportunities in schools these days and I’m enjoying being in a place where I can have that experience to keep learning too.”

“Ideally my aim is to return to the classroom armed with the requisite skills to use drama and performance to enrich learning experiences for all children. The new history curriculum is one area that excites me. Drama is the ideal vehicle to place children in the heart of our nations’ stories and to grow in understanding of all perspectives. That would be my ultimate goal.”

A lot of pixel art games have this ‘dungeon-y’, dark theme. This is what inspired our ideas. This paper has definitely reinforced that game development is what I want to do.”

Keep an eye out for their finished games online.

KEY DATES & EVENTS Online Events Locals O-Week activites International students’ welcome Campus tours eTransitions: IT introductory sessions Pacific welcome UNIO101: University transition and success

March | Māehe 27

Open Day Marine Science at Portobello

April | Āperira 08

Diversion Day

15

Good Friday / Mid-semester break

18

Easter Monday

19

Otago Anniversary Day (observed)

25

ANZAC Day

26

Semester 1 resumes

Recurring Events Lunchtime Concerts Lunchtime Theatre Diversion Day 10