USJ Orientation Series Helps New Students Integrate into Campus Life
USJ Orientation Series Helps New Students Integrate into Campus Life
17
Sep
17/09/2026
To assist new students in adapting to the campus environment, the Office for Student and Alumni Affairs of USJ organised a variety of orientation activities in the first 2 weeks of the new academic year, aimed at promoting interaction, fostering friendships, and providing essential information and support among students.
To help new students integrate into the campus environment, the Office for Student and Alumni Affairs (OSAA) of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) planned various diverse orientation activities for the academic year 2026/2027. The event series included a local tour, a Non-local Student Orientation Session, and induction week activities providing information of mental health support services and student club. It is aimed to enhance students’ sense of belonging and team spirit.
Non-local Student Orientation Session Supports Students of Different Nationalities
On the 4th of September, USJ held an introductory session for non-local students. Representatives from the Judicial Police were invited to deliver talks on preventing telecommunications fraud and drug awareness, equipping students with essential knowledge to protect themselves. In addition, the event also covered helpful tips and information on campus transportation, facilities and faculty office locations, student activities, student organizations, and a guide to living around campus.
During the event, the new students had a chance to seek peer advice from senior students. Through sharing experiences and interactive guidance, senior students provided practical advice and encouragement, helping new students gain confidence as they adapt to their new environment and embark on their university journey. The orientation also included booths from various service providers, including insurance, banking, telecommunication and food delivery, offering an one-stop access to essential services for living and travelling in Macao.
Visit “ Local Creative Industries” Provides Insight into Local Career and Culture
On the 12th of September 2026, USJ organised a local visit themed “Exploring Macao’s Creative Industries”. Sponsored by the Macao Foundation, the tour involved a group of over 20 participants who visited several cultural and creative sites in the Coloane-Taipa area, which provided valuable insights into the development of Macao’s cultural and creative industries.This tour allowed students to witness firsthand the diversity of Macao’s cultural and creative industries.
Orientation for Master Students Fosters Student-Faculty Exchange
On the 7th of September, the university also held an evening orientation session for the Master students in the academic year 2026/2027. The event included introductions to campus facilities and resources, attracting over 100 students and faculty members. The gathering was lively and engaging.
The opening ceremony was held at the Fátima Auditorium on the Ilha Verde Campus. Dr. Alejandro Salcedo, our Rector (Interim), warmly welcomed all new students. During his remarks, he encouraged the students to stay true to their beliefs and have the courage to break new ground in their academic journey, while making the most of the campus’s unique environment where Eastern and Western cultures converge to achieve personal growth. He asserted that the new students had already demonstrated their academic potential and spirit of perseverance, while candidly acknowledging that postgraduate studies would “demand greater independence, critical thinking, and professional expertise,” with intensity and depth surpassing that of undergraduate education. He understood that students might face anxieties over choices, financial pressures and family responsibilities, and emphasized that the university would provide comprehensive support, with professors, deans, and the university’s administrative team “standing alongside students” to help them strike a balance between academic work and daily life. At the same time, USJ would continue to enhance its teaching and student support systems to assist students in completing their academic journeys.
Induction Week Promotes Campus Cultural Integration
The Induction Week was held on the 9th and 16th of September to help students transition from high school to university life and familiarize them with campus activities and support services. During the first induction week, students attended an introductory session on campus mental health support services. The counsellor and social worker of USJ shared valuable information on transitioning smoothly into university life and utilizing on-campus mental health resources. These efforts aimed to enhance new students’ adaptability and foster peer support.
The second induction week was jointly held by OSAA and the USJ Library on the 16th of September with the focus on ecological education. The event included an introduction on Macao Mangroves and a 3D Model Painting experience. It allowed students to learn about Macao’s mangrove ecology in a relaxing atmosphere. By combining an ecological lecture with hands-on experience, it helped new students understand the species diversity of Macao’s mangroves.
After the induction weeks, the Health Bureau was invited to set up the “Health Station” booth. Through health information, scientific exercise, as well as art and painting experiences, new students learned about campus resources while also understanding the importance of healthy lifestyle habits for both body and mind.
