The University of Otago boosted Dunedin's economy by $780.8 million last year, a new report shows.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has apologised for his "slight" against the Dalai Lama after sparking a minor protest over comments about the spiritual leader's upcoming visit.

The University of Otago took a "very serious" look at the implications of hosting the Dalai Lama before opting to let him speak on campus during his visit to Dunedin next month.

The University of Canterbury's new high-tech security system is designed to speed up response times to critical incidents like natural disasters.

Drunk university students who set couches alight after being turfed out of parties are blaming police for inflaming tensions.

All eight of New Zealand's universities are being taken to the New Zealand Copyright Tribunal for refusing to agree to an increased annual licence fee which allows lecturers to copy authors' work for students.

The annual migration of students back to Dunedin has begun, with the influx of young people providing a boost to local businesses.

Eating healthy

New Zealand universities have spent more than $250,000 dishing out honorary degrees to celebrities and visiting dignitaries, a Herald investigation into the eight institutions has found.

Elena Berg seems to be the most brushed up on clothing etiquette when it comes to dressing for University of Otago graduations.

University of Otago Prof Robin Taylor has spoken out against voluntary euthanasia, telling university graduates that arguments for this were "fundamentally flawed".

The future of the southern neurosurgery service is now assured, with the announcement $3 million has been raised for the Chair in Neurosurgery at the University of Otago.

Police are investigating the theft of a brief case containing private information on almost 500 research staff from tertiary institutions.

An accounts manager who stole nearly $240,000 from the University of Otago was always warning his team to look out for fraud, a court has been told.

New Zealand scientists are hoping to produce a baby formula good enough to match the nutritional quality of breast milk.

After chasing government money for the past decade, Otago University now accepts it'll have to fund any expansion to its dental school by itself.

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