USJ welcomes new undergraduate students embarking on a new chapter
USJ welcomes new undergraduate students embarking on a new chapter
07
Sep
07/09/2026
The USJ Bachelor’s Orientation Day 2026 themed “Explore and Navigate: Embark on Your Journey at USJ” was held on 3rd September 2026, warmly welcoming new undergraduate students and assisting them in embarking on a new chapter on campus.
The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) held the “Whole-Person Development Activity — 2026/2027 Bachelor’s Student Orientation Day” on 3rd September 2026. The event was aimed to facilitate the integration of new undergraduate students into the USJ campus. Different types of activities were tailor-made for new students, including introduction to student services, campus facilities, campus tour and faculty sessions. The event attracted over a hundred and twenty students and professors, creating a lively atmosphere.
This activity was supported by the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The opening ceremony was held at the Fátima Auditorium on the Ilha Verde Campus, as the Rector (Interim) of USJ, Dr. Alejandro Salcedo Garcia, warmly welcomed all new students. During his remarks, he stated that new students might face challenges and trials when adapting to a completely new environment and encouraged them not to bear the pressure alone, emphasising that USJ is a supportive community that will accompany every student throughout this important journey.
In his welcome speech, he encouraged students to face difficulties with self-discipline, perseverance, and hard work, as these experiences will become the foundation of their future achievements. Being the most international higher education institution in Macao, with students coming from Portugal, Brazil, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and various parts of Asia, USJ upholds “care and respect” as our core values. This multicultural platform enables students to actively engage and learn from one another, and to expand their international horizons while preserving their own cultural identity. Last but not least, he shared with the new students that the new journey at USJ is not merely a process of earning a degree, but also an important stage for self-discovery, building friendships, and finding meaning in life.
During the event, students took part in campus tour activities to understand the functions and services of the Academic Affairs Office (AAO), the Library, and other offices. Students were divided into small groups and were led by senior students to explore the campus. The Office for Student and Alumni Affairs (OSAA) organised this activity to build connections and help new students learn how to utilise campus resources, facilitating their adaptation to the university environment. While providing practical information, the event also successfully fostered a sense of belonging among the new students. The activity was concluded with the Faculty Sessions.
An info-session counter was set up where students inquired about the featured activities of student associations, recruitment details, and daily operations. Senior students also took the initiative to share their experiences, helping freshmen quickly integrate into the campus community. Through participating in booth games and quiz challenges, students could redeem souvenirs, and the atmosphere at the event was lively and enthusiastic.
During the entire planning and execution process of this activity, the senior students and the student volunteer served as activity planners and campus tour guides. From route planning and time management to handling unexpected situations, they were required to take the initiative in coordination and decision-making. This cultivated the students’ leadership and teamwork abilities, making the activity not only a starting point for freshmen to adapt but also a growth platform for current students to practice service and management skills, thereby fostering their capacity for whole- person development.
The USJ’s Induction Week events will continue on the 9th and 16th of September 2026.
