Orientation Week for First Year Students a Whole Lot of Fun

BY: .

UKZN’s 2016 first year students were welcomed with a comprehensive action-packed orientation week and treated to several informative infotainment style sessions from the University’s four Colleges.

College of Health Sciences’ Director of Professional Services, Professor Fanie Botha, welcomed everyone saying: ‘Start studying immediately and use your time wisely.’

The College received 57 779 applications for 883 first year places. Of these, 6 350 were applications for 250 places in the MBChB programme, 14 700 for 70 places in Nursing, and 34 000 for 479 places within degree programmes offered in the School of Health Sciences.  The College encouraged ethical behaviour on social media and promoted UKZN REACH principles.

The College of Law and Management Studies hosted various orientations for its undergraduate and postgraduate students. At the Law orientation on Howard College campus, Supreme Court of Appeal Judge, Mr Justice Wallis, shared his personal experience of practicing Law and advised students to use Law as a tool for justice.

‘After 45 years of practice I remain fascinated by the law,’ said Wallis. ‘While you are here we hope that you will learn a lot of skills and you must use what you have been given to make society a better place.’

Commerce and Management students on the Westville campus were inspired by UKZN alumnus, Mr Sanele Nkosi, who is BDO’s Audit Manager and a bursary beneficiary. Nkosi shared the challenges and rewards of his academic career and how his qualification empowered his climb up the career ladder, from doing his articles to becoming an Audit Manager at the prestigious accounting firm.

In Pietermaritzburg, students heard from Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa’s Director, Mr Muzi Kubeka, whose LLB from UKZN helped him craft his unique and specialised career in energy, project finance, public private partnerships, lending and syndicated lending and export credit finance. The students also participated in an upbeat programme which included games and a tour to familiarise them with the campus.

Addressing first year students from the College of Humanities, DVC and Head of the College, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, said: ‘Draw on the resources offered here, make use of the organisations on campus and take advantage of opportunities, reach out to mentors and academics to succeed. Create and carve out a career trajectory, work smart and lead a balanced life.’

Representatives from student housing, student financial services and student funding also informed the students about what was on offer.

During orientation, students were handed information packs and divided into large groups for a guided tour of the University’s campus grounds. Each group had an orientation mentor, easily recognisable by their blue uniforms.

Housing student Mr Rahul Khemraz chose the College of Humanities because he believes the expertise and resources at the University will enable him to be successful in his career choice.

Music student Ms Chloe Bydawell said: ‘Music has always been my passion and to be at UKZN and to study here. I know I’ll be able to make my dreams come true. Some of the best musicians have graduated from here and I know I’ll be one too.’

The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science  orientation programme, which ran over two days was equally well supported.  Buzzing with enthusiasm, the new students were confident they had what it takes to tackle the challenge of tertiary education.

A busy programme saw them being briefed on relevant topics such as campus safety, student support services, student governance, how to use the library and the LANs, student housing and residence life, sports facilities available, student funding and most importantly, essential university work habits for success. 

For a change in tempo, students were entertained by fun and interactive science shows. 

The highlight of Pietermaritzburg’s programme was a surprise appearance of iFani, who as a phenomenally successful South African hip-hop artist, is also a BSc Honours graduate. He inspired the students with a success story that grew out of poverty and humble beginnings. 

After formal procedures, the class of 2016 were then split into buddy groups and dispersed to tour their campus and start registering. 

Nombuso Dlamini, Sally Frost, Thandiwe Jumo, Melissa Mungroo