University welcomes first-semester students: livestream and orientation days

The university welcomes its first semester students! This year, due to the coronavirus, unfortunately not in the Audimax as usual, but via livestream and video. In addition, O-Week starts today with many events - online and in person.

Be bold and dare to do something!" With this message, University President Prof. Dr Dr Hans Michael Piper welcomed the new students to the university today, Monday 12 October, at 10.00 a.m. - alluding to the special phase of life that begins with their studies. Due to the coronavirus, the more than 1,600 first-semester students were not welcomed in the university's Audimax, but via livestream.

In addition to the University President, Prof Dr Verena Pietzner, Vice President of the University for Studies, Teaching and International Affairs, and representatives of the General Students' Committee (AStA) addressed the first semester students in the video. Student Mafalda Nogueira took the new students on a virtual walk around campus.

The winter

This year, new students can get to know the university through various virtual events and via videos and presentations until mid-November. During the actual orientation week from 8 to 16 October, there will also be events on campus. Students will receive subject-specific information about their own degree programmes or find answers to questions on topics such as financing their studies, studying abroad, an introduction to the university's video conferencing system or organising their studies while working from home.

This semester, courses at the University of Oldenburg will take place in both online and face-to-face formats. Large lectures, for example, will only be held via the university's video conferencing system to protect against infection. However, thanks to special protection and hygiene concepts, the university is making it possible for practical elements of the programme, such as laboratory courses, to take place on site.