Image description: In navy blue and black text on the left are the words ‘UWA Virtual Open Day / Sunday August 2’. On the right is a smiling young woman, wearing a yellow jumper and over-hear headphones.
By Courtney Withers
Open Day. We all love it. There are free tote bags, bundles of information booklets, and the sweet, sweet smell of sausage sizzles. It’s the chance to get a little slice of what campus life will be like, whilst informing yourself of the important decisions you will make with your career and university experience.
With the effects COVID-19 still present, and great uncertainty surrounding the planning of big events on campus, UWA authorities have announced that the Open Day for 2020 will be held online.
I know what you’re thinking: how could this possibly work? That’s a great question, and one I am willing to answer.
The Lowdown
The Virtual Open Day will be held on Sunday 2 August, from 10am-3pm (AWST). Registrations to attend are now open via https://www.uwa.edu.au/study/openday. Among those encouraged to attend are mature aged students, parents of prospective students, school students in Years 10-12, secondary school career advisors or teachers, and those studying at other tertiary institutions.
Once registered, attendees will receive a link via email on the event date which will take them directly to event. Attendees can simply log in and join an event at any time, based on what sessions they are interested in. The Open Day website states that the event is “mobile responsive”, so those joining can use either a phone, iPad, laptop, or desktop computer, as long as they have a reliable internet connection.
Although holding an online Open Day is obviously not ideal, it seems that UWA is making the most of this event, with the majority of normal Open Day activities still taking place. Those attending will still be able to learn about course models; details about clubs; accommodation; and have the option to explore everything the campus has to offer – just from behind a screen.
There will also be live and pre-recorded information sessions, panels, demos, and Q&As, that will cover all things courses, careers, and campus life. Course advisory sessions, and testimonies from current students, academics, graduates, and industry partners, will also feature.
There will also be public discussion boards within each subject area, where attendees can ask questions about courses and university life. These will be answered by either faculty staff, academics, students, graduates, or the Future Students team.
Some of the key events on the day include:
- Preparing for UWA – Everything for Year 10s and 11s
- UWA 101 – Everything for Year 12s
- Why Choose a Career When You Can Create One?
- Student Athlete Information Session and Panel
- Introduction to Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage
As always, a complete list of courses offered at UWA is available on their website. This resource might be helpful for you in preparing any questions you might have before the online event.
The Fun Stuff
UWA is adjusting to this ‘new normal’ we are all experiencing, whilst still keeping in mind how exciting an Open Day for future students can be.
Director of Future Students Trish Rechichi said that that the Future Students team are excited to meet everyone at Open Day, even if it’s not via the regular face-to-face format.
“We can’t wait to hear your questions and your career aspirations so we can have a chat and help you get there,” Trish said.
“We have lecturers, students, graduates, student experience teams, and plenty more of the UWA community joining us on the day to help you find out everything you need about study and life at UWA. It’s a great place to be, and we’d love you to be a part of it.”
You even have the chance to win a “…hand-picked student pack designed by current UWA students and filled with essentials for uni life”. It includes a Kanken backpack, Apple AirPods, Uber Eats vouchers, and a UWA Sports Membership. By simply registering and tuning in live on August 2, you’ll go into the draw. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me!
After O-Day: Other Options
Despite the great abundance of events available through the online Open Day, UWA authorities have acknowledged that it might be difficult for prospective students to experience the campus. As such, they are exploring the option of running an open afternoon/evening event in October. If this event is confirmed, the University will share more details as the time nears.
For those who are not able to attend on the day, course details, sessions, panels, and demos will be available online from 3 August to 16 August.
For those having technical issues on the day (we’ve all been there), use the email [email protected], and the team will assist you.
For more information or advice about courses, call 131 UWA (131 892), or visit the website.
Courtney is wondering if there will be a virtual happy hour at The Tav on Open Day.
Picture courtesy of The University of Western Australia