Otago Polytechnic students were asked to save the world - and Invermay - at a brunch welcoming them to their study in Dunedin yesterday.
Otago Polytechnic Students' Association president Rebecca Swindells finished the speeches to about 1000 students with the advice: ''Don't party too hard.''
Other orators made sobering speeches, with Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull saying students faced the ''impending combination of climate change, financial and geopolitical instability, sea-level rise, energy crisis, environmental challenges and demographic change''.
''And it will be increasingly your generation's challenge to grapple with those factors.''
Between study to curb the world's issues, students should enjoy Dunedin, Mr Cull said: ''This is the only city on planet Earth where you can surf and ski and catch a salmon for free all within the city limits, all in one day.''
Dunedin North MP David Clark said he would be collecting students' signatures for the ''save Invermay'' petition intended to overturn a decision to relocate about 75 jobs from Dunedin.
''I won't fill you in on the details now but please feel free to [ask] anyone who pushes a signature pad under you.''
The other speaker at the brunch, polytechnic chief executive Phil Kerr, finished his speech on a lighter note.
''I wish you all the best for a successful year - a fun year and a productive year.''
