12 February 2018

The University of Queensland welcomes more than 10,000 new undergraduate and postgraduate students this week to #UQLife – a fun-filled four-week program of orientation activities and events.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Joanne Wright said the University had revamped its traditional Orientation Week into a month-long program to help students settle in to the academic year.

“Orientation activities are an important introduction for all new students coming to UQ,” Professor Wright said.

“Settling into life at university is critical to both academic success and enjoyment of university.” 

She said UQ’s campuses at St Lucia, Herston and Gatton were set to welcome students from across Queensland, throughout Australia and around the world, to study a huge range of subjects and courses across six faculties.

“Whether they are the first in their family to attend university or they’re returning for their third degree, I encourage all students to embrace campus life and take part in the activities and events planned to help make the adjustment to the new and exciting challenge of university life.”

Professor Wright said activities to help students prepare for academic life included Getting Started and academic and personal skills sessions and IT and eLearning workshops.

University of Queensland Union President Jeremy Lwin urged new students to “jump in head-first to UQ life”.

“UQU can link students up with new friends, clubs and societies and international support and point them in the direction of the best, cheapest and most delicious food,” he said.

“We also run Student Help on Campus, which offers information and counselling on employment, gender, sexuality, migration and welfare.”

Mr Lwin said this week’s Market Day activities (at Gatton on Tuesday and St Lucia on Wednesday) would showcase more than 220 student clubs and societies, along with music, performances and chill-out zones.

Professor Wright said there was much more to university life than “study, study and more study”.

“We aim to equip students with rich experiences to help them become sought-after graduates able to create positive change throughout the world,” she said.

“UQ students can get involved in volunteering, mentoring, international exchanges, and work experience.”

The Student Employability Centre has information on the broad range of activities available to UQ students.

The #UQLife festival launches this week with O-Fest (12-16 February), and continues with Connect Week (19-23 February), Culture Week (26 February-2 March) and Success Week (5-9 March).

The full #UQLife program is here.

Media: Esther Haskell, communications@uq.edu.au, 07 3346 7887.