UWI hosts orientation fair and expo

By Anesta Henry

The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill campus was a hive of activity on Wednesday as new and continuing students got information about the wide range of services available to them.

Students also interacted with leaders of clubs and associations when they visited the Campus’ Orientation Fair and Inter-Club Committee (ICC) Expo, hosted by The Office of Student Services and Development in collaboration with the UWI HIV&AIDS Response Programme (UWI/HARP).

The event was held on the grounds of the Cave Hill campus. Student Services Manager Khaleid Holder told Barbados TODAY the annual activity was the ideal opportunity for new and continuing students to meet several service providers in the financial and banking sector, in addition to mixing and mingling with small business owners affiliated with the university.

“And also, it provides an opportunity for them to meet student clubs and societies which are important aspects of campus life. So it allows especially our new students to connect with clubs and societies in their first year, whether country-specific associations, facultyassociations, academic associations, or those that are faith-based type organisations and things like debating and public speaking.

“So, it’s just an atmosphere of vibes where students can connect and make new friends as they come into the campus community,” he said.

Holder said at least 800 students were projected to attend the orientation fair, which started at 11 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m.

There were 40 booths for students to visit.

The student services manager said that to ensure the fair was student-friendly, the Guild of Students assisted with the planning and execution of the event.

“So we collaborate each year to bring a student-friendly atmosphere. So our deejays are student deejays; our students are very much a part of this entire activity, not only in terms of planning but also executing. In terms of student services and development, we see our role as a critical one to student success,” he said.

“In fact, we see our role as partners in their success. And so, we also use the opportunity to inform students or remind them of some of the services and programmes that we have that are designed to help them be successful. So we have our psychological counsellor under our booth here, and we also do career counselling services.”

Holder added: “We do health plans because all of our students are enrolled in a health insurance plan. We have services for students with disabilities as well and, most importantly, we try to highlight and promote our first-year experience programme, which is a student success programme to help firststudents transition to the university and also to remain successful during their tenure at campus.”

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb