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University of Canterbury - Source: ONE News
The academic year kicks off today at the University of Canterbury, with 2,000 more students starting than this time last year.
Thousands of students turned up today as orientation week gets underway.
The university has had more than 10,000 square meters of student support, teaching, tutorial and library space remediated.
Access restrictions were lifted ready for the first semester to get underway.
The University has tried to attract students back to the quake-affected campus through a public relations campaign.
Damaged caused by the earthquakes caused major problems earlier last year - some classes were held in tents and temporary offices were erected.
As a result, around 1500 students left the university, and it was estimated it could take up to five years to lure them back.
The drop in numbers has inevitably had a major impact on the institution's finances.
As well as trying to draw back students from around the country the university has also looked overseas.
Since the quake it lost 450 international students, which means a $9 million loss in revenue.
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