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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