UTAR hosts e-orientation for its January 2021 intake

UTAR welcomed its new students to their respective programmes and to be a part of the Univerisity community through an online orientation session. The online orientation, conducted from 11 January 2020 to 13 January 2020, aimed to ease the new students’ transition and settling into UTAR’s education system and cultures. 

Just as they would in the traditional on-campus orientation, the new students were briefed about the University’s rules and procedures, as well as information of each department and faculty, ranging from dress code, scholarships to university activities. In addition, students were able to acquire critical information on the services provided by IT and library. 

While there are many changes this year, one consistency was Peer Mentoring Programme, an orientation programme that formed by a group of passionate seniors to help the new students to start up their university life. They were the best way to mentor new students and get them to know the culture and norms of the University. Besides, the online orientation also offered the news students with a virtual tour of UTAR campuses. 

As UTAR has adopted Microsoft Teams as one of the digital and online applications to support and sustain the online teaching and learning in academics, a mock session of Microsoft Teams was conducted for the news students in order to assist them in getting adjusted to the new learning environment. A mass call was also conducted online on 12 January 2020, offering the new students with a chance to meet UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat virtually.

Because of the entry and movement restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it proved to be a difficult year for international students who chose to study at UTAR. Hence, the University placed great effort to welcome the international students and ensure that they feel supported.

A new international student from China Liu, Ting who is taking Bachelor of Communication (Honours) Public Relations agreed that the online orientation was the best alternative to replace the physical orientation during the pandemic. She said, “Online orientation reduces the risks of students and teachers being exposed to the virus due to the close physical contact in the crowd. Undoubtedly, it is an efficient way to provide a guarantee for our subsequent learning.

Liu mentioned that it was indeed important and necessary to accommodate the new students to a new circumstance and assist them to better adapt to the campus life. “The e-orientation provided me with a better understanding on general information regarding the university such as rules, essential departments and services available, and it truly helped me to familiarise with the campus,” she said. 

Another international student from China Zhang, RongRong commented that the e-orientation has enhanced her understanding regarding the university with the clear information provided. However, she suggested that the briefing should go at a slower pace so that everyone could catch up easily.

Zhang is presently taking Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) Communication and Networking in UTAR. She hopes that there will be physical guided campus tour or additional briefing about general information regarding UTAR when students are allowed to return to campus.



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