After the summer break, the LUMS campus saw its vitality return as over 1200 freshmen came on campus for the LUMS Orientation Week (O Week 2018). The O Week, which commenced on August 28, 2018 and concluded on September 1, 2018, started with an orientation session for parents and students of the undergraduate Class of 2022 held at the LUMS Syed Maratib Ali Sports Complex. A dynamic mix of students, parents, and faculty members filled the auditorium. The students’ excitement was only exceeded by their parents’, whose smiles showed how proud they were of their children. The entire LUMS community welcomed the new class on campus.
Orientation Week is organised each year for the new batch to welcome them to the University as they embark on an exciting new journey through LUMS. It is designed to give students and their parents the chance to acquaint themselves with the campus and the community, by participating in group based activities. These activities help equip the newcomers with vital information, and provide guidance from faculty and senior students, to make an easy transition to university life.
The new Vice Chancellor of LUMS, Dr. Arshad Ahmad officially welcomed the parents and students, and congratulated and encouraged the students, exhorting them to make the best of what LUMS has to offer. He added that these four years would shape their professional careers for the rest of their lives. Addressing the audience, Dr. Ahmad said, “Remember that the relationships you will invest in will serve you for a lifetime: They will reward you academically and accelerate your professional careers. Universities around the world understand the value of developing intellectual abilities to produce scholarship, but top universities also realise the value of developing effective interpersonal and social skills. It is these life skills that will nourish your well-being as individuals and as a community.”
He also shared, "Today is also my first day at LUMS, so like you, I will be running around a bit confused, looking for rooms in unfamiliar buildings, arriving late for a lecture or two, and asking my colleagues and new friends to share their notes with me! Like you, I must not be shy to ask questions and learn with open arms."
Later the Deans and senior faculty of the five schools at LUMS introduced their departments and programmes.
“It was such a great, extremely helpful week. I really enjoyed it and got so much from it. Many thanks to all of the great staff and great volunteers who helped and put a fantastic day together for all the freshmen,” said Sana Alam, a freshman ready to start a journey that would define the rest of her life.
Faculty members and staff also conducted different seminars and information sessions to help students understand 'Life at LUMS' better. The O Week includes a host of activities, such as a batch photo, ice-breaking sessions, Food Street, Sports Gala, Scavenger Hunt and a trip to Joyland.
The Week concluded with an Award Night where students enjoyed a formal dinner and gave titles to their coaches and peers.
