August 26, 2019 marked an important beginning for the Class of 2023 as they embarked on their journey as LUMS undergraduates. Over 1,000 students from across Pakistan arrived at campus and were formally welcomed as Luminites during Orientation Week.
Orientation Week, or O-Week as it is usually referred to, signals the beginning of the new academic year and allows incoming students to ease into university life. Students are given a chance to settle into their dorms, interact with senior students and bond with their classmates.
The week kicked-off at the Syed Maratib Ali Sports Complex, where new students and their parents were warmly welcomed by the LUMS community. Senior leadership, Deans of the five Schools, faculty members and staff were all present to cheer on and welcome the incoming class.
Dr. Adnan Khan, Dean, Office of Student Affairs, advised students to take advantage of all the facilities that LUMS offers, “Explore the wide range of interdisciplinary programmes at LUMS. Consider your options. Take risks. Engage in many rich and varied extracurricular activities. Don’t be hesitant to try something new. You may discover a new passion or a hidden talent!”
Dr. Arshad Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, LUMS, enthusiastically welcomed the new batch of students to their new home, and thanked their parents for their presence at this important occasion. He urged the students to take pride in their diversity and to serve their community. He said, “Learning at LUMS will not just be about business, law or science, it will be about learning who you are, how you want to help the world that surrounds you and how you can be the light that guides those around you. We want you to succeed in your journey to make a better world. Fear not what happens when you fail, because failure is a very good teacher. But also imagine what you can do as you succeed. We, the administration, the staff and your teachers – we are by your side throughout your journey here at LUMS”
After the inspiring welcome session, multiple events commenced. Activities were carefully designed by the organising team to ensure a balance of learning and social gatherings. Students had the unique opportunity to interact with faculty members via seminars and information sessions, and also engaged in a variety of fun-filled activities such as campus and botanical tours, icebreaking sessions, a batch photo, a sports gala, a scavenger hunt and even trips to Lahore’s ‘Food Street’ and the popular amusement park, Joyland. They were also given talks by renowned educationists and motivational speakers, including Umair Jaliawala and Adeel Hashmi.
Students were thrilled with the experience, and expressed their joy and appreciation. Burhanuddin Mustafa, an incoming freshman said, “In addition to being extremely helpful, I really enjoyed the O-Week put together meticulously by the LUMS staff and student volunteers. They kept us engaged and introduced us to life at LUMS in the best way possible.”
The week concluded with an Award Night where freshmen gave titles to their peers and reminisced over the happenings of the week while enjoying a delicious dinner. With new friendships, bonds and vigour, students were prepared to embark on the journey of a lifetime.
