Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Petersen, urged the new students to strive to do their best in their academics and use every opportunity at their disposal.

He further appealed to students to make use of the lecturers, scholars, and researchers at the university and foster favourable relationships with them, as they sit on numerous councils and have valuable, possibly, life-changing advice to offer.

“I would like to urge you to use this opportunity to engage with them, these academics, these scholars. They, in turn, will also learn from you. One aspect that I would emphasise tonight is that you all remain lifelong learners,” Petersen said.

His appeal comes after registrations kicked off in full swing earlier this week at the university, with more than 8000 students being first-time students.

Petersen’s address marked the beginning of the university’s Gateway Orientation, which for the two weeks prior to the start of classes, caters to first-year students by familiarising and orientating them to the university environment as well as helping them with the registration process.

Today (Saturday) also marks the continuation of the first-years’ welcoming, as they will also be welcomed at the respective faculties across the campus.

The programme, over the course of the next two weeks, will keep the first-years busy with tours of the campus, games, entertainment, as well as mentorship sign-up sessions the students can participate in.

Meanwhile, the registration process for first-year students at the Qwaqwa campus is expected to take place on Monday, January 28, while classes are scheduled to start on February 11.

OFM News