Bridges of Friendship GardenAs part of the landscaping for the Jack Erskine building (constructed in 1998), and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Christchurch and Kurashiki at the time, the University constructed this unique garden. The garden was conceptualised by Professor Tadao (Tad) Takaoka (1943 - 2017). The structure of the garden embodies modern ideas from computer science and mathematics, but the idea comes from the Oriental "Scholar's garden": crossing a bridge symbolises leaving day-to-day cares behind as the scholar focuses on more academic matters. The "Bridges of Friendship" also represent the many relationships surrounding a university: international links, links to industry, between staff and students, and between the university and the local community. The symbolism is made particularly strong because the garden has been made possible by generous sponsorship from local industry; each of the seven bridges is sponsored by one of the following companies:
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Tim Bell tim@cosc.canterbury.ac.nz |
Modified: 3-Nov-1999