More than 600 first-year students were welcomed today at the Aula Magna of unibz's Bolzano campus as part of Freshers Days, the university's annual welcome programme for new students. The initiative, which is taking place across all three campuses, began in Bolzano and continues with orientation activities in Bruneck and Brixen.

“Explore new ideas and broaden your horizons. We are a European university where diversity is an added value.”  With these words, unibz Rector Alex Weissensteiner welcomed the hundreds of students who are beginning their academic journey at the university this year.

In his address, the Rector highlighted the university’s strong international dimension. Once again, unibz has attracted students from across the globe. In addition to many European countries, the university is welcoming students from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Taiwan and the United States, among others.

Freshers Day is an opportunity to introduce new students to some of the core values that shape life at unibz: diversity, community, active participation and sustainability. Students were also introduced to the main services available to them, such as the Language Centre, the Library and a wide range of support services.

The first event took place in Bolzano and was dedicated mainly to students enrolled in programmes based there. Further Freshers Day activities are taking place at the Bruneck and Brixen campuses over the next three days. In total, around 1200 students are starting their academic studies at unibz this year.

“A university is a place to learn, but also a place to be proactive, contribute with new ideas and actively participate in academic life,” said Weissensteiner, describing unibz as “a community united by shared values and common goals.”

The event in Bolzano was also attended by Vice-Rector for Studies Marco Baratieri; the Deans of the Faculties of Economics and Management, Design and Art, Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, and Engineering (Professors Marjaana Gunkel, Elisabeth Tauber, Marco Gobbetti and Andrea Gasparella); Managing Director Günther Mathà; Laura Cherchi, Project Manager of the SUNRISE project and Student Representatives Linda Di Spazio and Robert Kurth.

During the event, students were encouraged to take an active role in their studies, engage with their professors and make the most of the opportunities offered by university life. Speakers also highlighted the importance of building relationships and networks that can support both personal and professional development.

Across unibz's three campuses, more than a thousand new students are now embarking on a new chapter of academic and personal growth. The entire unibz community wishes them every success on their journey.