Universities woo prospective students with Open House

Open House Day, also known as Orientation Day, is a great opportunity to find out more about a university and meet potential professors, check the campus and its daily routine. This practice, common in many countries, still hasn’t taken roots in KSA, but could very well become an essential routine for universities, as more and more students demand a preview of their future alma mater. Only a few universities recently held a one-day Open House to brief prospective students on the courses offered. One of these select group was a Business University, whose faculty organized an orientation day at the campus to make students acquainted with university policies, staff, student facilities, employment prospects, and other valuable information to soon-to-be scholars.
“An Open House Day at university gives the students opportunity to get a sneak peek at university life, a chance to get answers about the campus life, learn the resources available through their faculty and to get familiar with the university environment and all it has to offer,” said Dr. Abdullah Masood, the university’s dean.
Similarly, Effat University organized an open house for high school students who are interested to inquire about specialization. During the Open House Day, faculty members helped prospective students to pick possible courses, guiding them to choose a career path that suits the job market.
“Universities are putting more emphasis on this annual routine than ever before, hoping that more students will know how to choose a specialization that is useful academically, professionally and socially,” Dr. Haifa Jamal, president of Effat University, said.
Effat’s Open House Day was held in the presence of a group of senior academic and administrative staff. They introduced different faculties such as engineering, business and humanities and social science to the students, creating a better overall experience for them, which is also one of the goals the university set for itself in its strategic plan.