Kate Withers
ALMOST 500 students descended on Federation University in Churchill last week for a festival of activities at Orientation Week ahead of the start of the 2020 academic year.
O Week gives students the opportunity to find out more about life at university, support services and their studies.
To help with the transition, new students are also allocated a mentor from their study area.
A warm welcome was issued to the 470 new students on campus before a market stall with free food and students services tents were opened for business.
Gippsland head of campus Leigh Kennedy said O Week was a cornerstone of university life for newcomers.
“It’s a wonderful experience, it’s so great to see 470 new students and 10 per cent up on our VTAC students as well, which we’re really pleased with,” Ms Kennedy said.
“Firstly, we are rated number one in terms of student support by the Good Universities Guide, and we’re rated number one for full-time employment as well.
“I think things like our industry placement programs mean that when students finish their degree they go into full-time work.”
Among the new faces at the Gippsland campus were 22 prospective allied health workers who are part of the university’s first cohort of occupational therapy students.
A $5 million specialist allied health laboratory centre will also be developed at Churchill, with construction due to commence in July.
