Story: Tertiary education

First New Zealand university graduate

This is the University of Otago graduation certificate – in Latin – awarded to Alexander Watt Williamson, who in 1874 became the first person to graduate from a New Zealand university. He graduated with a bachelor of arts. Not long after this the University of Otago merged with the University of New Zealand.

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Hocken Library, University of Otago
Reference: S11-562

Permission of the Hocken Library Uare Taoka o Hakena, University of Otago, must be obtained before any re-use of this image. Further information may be obtained from the Library through its website.

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How to cite this page:

Kerryn Pollock, 'Tertiary education - Universities before 1990', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/34402/first-new-zealand-university-graduate (accessed 3 May 2024)

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 20 Jun 2012