Alyssa Fritzlaff
FEDERATION University Gippsland celebrated the exciting return to campus on Tuesday, March 1.
The campus came alive with music, food trucks and fun activities on the big day.
Intending to start the year off with a bang. University clubs, services and supports were eagerly waiting to connect with new students through pop-up stalls scattered around the grounds.
GippSport’s StreetGames were in attendance, and facilitated games of table tennis, Connect 4, and chess.
The exciting day gave students the opportunity to interact with other students and staff in
a fun, lively environment.
Federation University vice-chancellor and president, Professor Duncan Bentley said it’s exciting to have students back on campuses across Victoria.
“Students are at the heart of Federation University, and we want to give them the best possible learning experience,” he said.
“It is exciting to welcome students back onto our spacious Victorian campuses where they can connect with their peers and discover the support available to them.”
First year Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Gippsland Partnership Program) student Annalise Gafa, was out and about enjoying the first day of Semester One.
Annalise is a Traralgon local, and attended Lavalla Catholic College for high school.
She is excited to be a part of the Gippsland Partnership program, as it will give her a direct pathway into Monash University’s School of Rural Health.
“I’m really excited, it’s something new within the uni and I’m looking forward to experience that on campus – meeting new people who share common interests,” she said.
“It’s a great pathway through to medicine at Monash… there’s a high demand for doctors in the local area, so I think it would be really great to be able to study here and stay here.
“I think I’d like to go into paediatrics, I’ve lawyers wanted to work with children in the health sector.”
Annalise said the opportunity to say local, close to her hometown and support systems had her choose Federation’s course over others.
“The opportunity to stay local was really appealing to me. To save money, to have the support of family, being able to stay at local football and netball clubs,” she explained.
Annalise attended Orientation Week and said it was an enjoyable experience.
“I had O Week, I got a tour of the campus, and a tour of the labs where I’ll have most of my classes,” she said.
This year is an exciting year for many students across the state as they return to face-to-face learning, some for the very first time in the last two years.
