The university welcomed its new students with a colourful opening ceremony in the Audimax of the lecture hall centre. The information market in the foyer also provided the new arrivals with information and tips on studying and the cultural and sports programme on campus.
Even before the info market officially opened at 8.30 a.m., the foyer of the Audimax was already teeming with young people: Curious glances brushed against the exhibitors' posters and flyers, explored the building and searched for coffee to wake them up. At the stands, the new students found out about opportunities to study abroad, the tasks and projects of the General Students' Committee (AStA), the university sports programme and many other university services.
The first students were already waiting outside the doors of the Audimax for the opening ceremony to begin at 9.00 am. The programme included words of welcome from the University President Prof. Dr Dr Hans Michael Piper, the Vice President for Studies, Teaching and Gender Equality Prof. Dr Sabine Kyora, the Head of Division 3: Student and Academic Affairs Nadine Carina Waitz and representatives of the AStA. A graduate of the orientation year for refugees spoke about her very personal journey from Syria to Oldenburg: Bayan Anouz will be studying German and Education from this semester.
Ensemble members of the Oldenburg State Theatre provided entertainment with an excerpt from the production of Wolfgang Herrndorf's novel "Tschick". The music students of the "European Brass Band" ensemble also demonstrated their skills with fast-paced pieces. Jonna Wagner, Master's student of Environmental Modelling at the Institute of Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), moderated the event.
To ensure that all first-year students had the opportunity to take part in the event, it was held a second time at 11.30 am. Once again, the Audimax was filled to capacity, with students even sitting tightly packed on the floor in front of the stage. After the last piece by the musicians, they streamed back into the foyer to soak up the last bits of information before the turbulent first day came to an end.
