ABOUT UniversityEvents.com.au
One of the best ways to enhance student retention and create a sense of belonging among Australian university students is to maximize participation in university sponsored events. Through an organized series of articles, blogs, links, and videos, this site explores some of the most popular Australian university events and the positive impact that they can have on current and future students. Site visitors are provided with a snapshot of a variety of Australian universities, and prominent events associated with each university. Types of events reviewed include orientation and welcome activities, concerts, public lectures, festivals, sporting events, and graduation ceremonies.
For many universities, the cornerstone event in attracting and retaining students is the orientation process or welcome ceremony for new students. Because the first few days or weeks of university life can sometimes be overwhelming, orientation and welcome programs are put in place to boost retention by helping students adjust to life on campus. The orientation process can last from several hours to several days depending upon the university. Some universities host a week long series of welcome activities for new students in an effort to make entering students feel comfortable in their new surroundings. Specific activities and offerings commonly included as part of the orientation process include welcome speeches, campus tours, free tickets to campus events, and mentoring programs.
Once a student has become acclamated to university life, it is important to continue to foster a sense of inclusion and satisfaction among students. Specific university events are designed to accomplish these goals and enhance retention among existing students. For instance, many universities sponsor musical concerts and events which students can either participate in or attend. Examples include homecoming parades, theatrical presentations, holiday festivals and sporting events or intramural games. In some cases, these events are advertised to the public, as they are effective in garnering university support from the community and attracting new students.
The capstone event for most Australian universities is the graduation or commencement ceremony. Just as the orientation process is designed to help students make a smooth transition to university life, the graduation ceremony is a celebratory event that fosters a student’s sense of academic accomplishment and provides a forum through which the completion of a formal series of academic courses is celebrated. The graduation ceremony is perhaps the most anticipated event among students who are eager to finish their classroom requirements and take their next steps forward in life.
