Gateway Antarctica, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
http://www.anta.canterbury.ac.nz
The University of Canterbury was established in 1873 as Canterbury College, the second university in New Zealand. It was originally housed in graceful stone buildings on a central city block. By 1975 it had completed its move to a spacious purpose-built 76 hectare site in the suburb of Ilam, 7km from the old city site. It comprises a central complex of libraries, lecture theatres, laboratories and staff accommodation surrounded by playing fields, woodlands and the renowned Ilam Gardens. Canterbury offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in some 50 disciplines, from accountancy to zoology. It has a number of specialist research centres and operates five major field stations at Kaikoura, Mt John (University Observatory), Cass, Westport and Harihari. Locally, five halls of residence provide board for up to 1000 students.
Some 12 000 students are enrolled and each year about 3000 students graduate, 650 of them with higher degrees. The University has retained links with the old town site, now home to the Christchurch Arts Centre, using it as the starting point for graduation processions each year.
Gateway Antarctica, established in 1999, is the Centre for Antarctic Studies and Research at the University of Canterbury. The centre:
- Provides a focus for Antarctic scholarship, research and learning;
- Stimulates and facilitates new research and study projects involving University staff, associates, visitors and students;
- Stimulates and support debate and dissemination of information through seminars/conferences/public events.
- Fosters links with other institutions and agencies with Antarctic interests both within and outside of New Zealand.
Gateway Antarctica provides a wide range of Antarctic courses at undergraduate and Graduate level which are available to international students through the International Antarctic Institute. A new Masters of Antarctic Studies has been developed to start in 2007 and PhD thesis students are welcomed. Details of Gateway Antarctic courses are available on our website.