They study special needs education, environmental sciences or human medicine: almost 2,000 first-year students are starting their studies at our university this winter semester. On Monday, the orientation week started with the opening ceremony in the lecture hall centre.
"The university is an important place in our society for freedom of thought and expression. Have the courage to express your opinions clearly, even if they are sometimes uncomfortable. As President, I can say on behalf of the entire University: we look forward to seeing you! With these words, University President Prof. Dr. Ralph Bruder welcomed 1,955 first-year students in the Audimax of the Lecture Hall Centre on the Haarentor campus today. They were treated to an opening ceremony with plenty of entertainment, good advice and good wishes. To ensure that all new students could attend, the traditional Opening Ceremony to kick off Orientation Week was held twice in the morning.
Words of welcome from the Vice President for Instruction and International Affairs, Prof. Dr Karsten Speck, were also on the agenda. Nadine Carina Waitz, Head of Division 3, Student and Academic Affairs, and members of the Students' Union (AStA) also welcomed the new students. Katerina Tounousidi, a student of Education and Biology from Greece, gave an insight into her studies in Oldenburg - and talked about what a colourful, international university means to her. The show dance group from the university's sports department also performed. Musical entertainment was provided by the student band "SWAY". Master's student Mafalda Nogueira hosted the programme.
Help with arriving
At the information market in the foyer of the Lecture Centre, new students received information and tips on studying, as well as on cultural and sporting activities on campus and in the surrounding area. The many events of Orientation Week began with the official welcome. Before the regular winter semester begins for all 15,500 students on Monday 16 October, the first-year students will have the opportunity to get to know their university as a place of learning and living until next Friday. Lecturers from the various faculties will introduce themselves and present the content of their courses, while student councils, counselling services and other University and Studentenwerk facilities will be on hand to offer insights and help students settle in.
Around 1,360 international students
The university welcomed the international students to campus earlier last week. The more than 300 students include exchange students from partner universities as well as students who are studying for a degree at the University of Oldenburg. They come from all over the world, from the UK and Portugal to Uganda, China, Colombia and Korea. In total, there are currently almost 1,360 international students on campus.
Also ahead of the regular welcome week, 120 medical students embarked on their winter semester. Students of human medicine can expect a special education in cooperation with the Rijksuniversitet Groningen in the Netherlands. The course includes patient-centred and interdisciplinary work, problem-based learning with tutors, a strong research focus and intensive communication training.