Excited faces and nervous anticipation. On Friday 22 August, DTU welcomed 1,018 new BEng students and 1,027 BSc students. The Intro Day included an official welcome from the president, tours of the campus, and fun, games and networking.
The Intro Day at DTU is a special day where the university begins to come to life again after its summer break. At DTU, Polyteknisk Forening (the PF student association), is responsible for organizing the Intro Day and the Freshers' Trip.
The new BEng students were welcomed in the morning in the sports hall by President Anders Bjarklev, Martin Vigild, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Student Affairs, and Kristoffer Skaftved Mathiesen, PF President. They were also introduced to the CDIO education principle.
The foundation of DTU
The first day at a new university can be an overwhelming experience for many students. You have to get to know new faces, names and places. And at every turn, well-meaning people try to fill your head with as much information as possible.
Dean Martin Vigild addressed this issue in his welcome to the BEng students, and again later to the BSc students. He told all the new DTU students that they need to persevere, enjoy the moment, and ask questions as the need arises.
"You’ll be flooded by information during your first week. I remember my own first week vividly, that is to say, I can't remember a thing," he began his speech.
"But don't worry. You will receive all the information again. The most important thing I want you to remember after today is that you and you alone have to grow and become engineers! A study programme is not something you receive, it is something you pursue. But remember that help is everywhere. Your lecturers, directors of studies, vectors (mentor students) and your Dean are always ready to help," Martin Vigild told the new students.
The DTU president also shared a few words with the new DTU students:
"This day is one of my favourite days of the year. It's amazing to see so much talent gathered here in the hall," began President Anders Bjarklev. He went on to note that DTU is not afraid to call itself an elite university, not least because of the talented students who are an important part of the University's foundation.
"When you have finished, you will be among those who help build the future. You must make sure that the latest knowledge is disseminated to society. And we can promise you that there will be hard work along the way. We therefore offer you a strong academic and social environment. If the going gets tough, and you're tempted to drop out, you are not alone. Use each other. Just because it's hard work doesn't mean it has to be a hard life. The social network can help ensure that."