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Technical University of Denmark hosts 2283 new engineering students

By iednewsdesk On Aug 31, 2023

It is a sunny late summer’s day at DTU Lyngby Campus, and the clock has just struck 9. In the auditorium in Building 421, a batch of DTU’s new students, specifically the students on the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in General Engineering programme, take their seats in rolling office chairs at dark long tables, arranged in steps in stadium seating style.

Beside the podium, Lars Christoffersen, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Student Affairs, DTU President Anders Bjarklev, and Natasha Hougaard, President of Polyteknisk Forening (PF student association), stand ready to welcome the students—about half of them international—to their first day at DTU.

“This summer, nearly 7,500 young applicants had applied for admission to DTU, but we’ve only been allowed to admit 2,300 students, that is about 30 per cent. You’re the lucky ones who’ve made it through the eye of the needle. Well done. And seeing that you’ve managed to get through the eye of the needle, you are also capable of completing your study programme,” says Lars D. Christoffersen, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Student Affairs, in his welcome speech before giving the floor to the DTU President.

Ten minutes into the welcome event, the air in the auditorium has become so hot and humid that DTU President Anders Bjarklev begins his welcome speech by taking off his jacket.

“This summer has clearly shown us the impacts of climate change, and we obviously cannot solve all climate-related problems by simply taking off our jackets,” ascertains the President and adds:

“We need change. We need a green transition, digitalization, innovation, and a sustainable future. That’s why we need engineers. And that’s where you come in,” says Anders Bjarklev to the students seated in the auditorium, some of whom wipe beads of sweat from their foreheads, while others use their hands to fan their faces.

Welcome speech by president Anders Bjarklev. Photo: Mikal Schlosser

250 students start on the BSc. in General Engineering of which approx. half are international students. Photo: Mikal Schlosser.

Denmark’s best student association

Groups of vectors (freshers’ instructors) and Coordinators of the Bachelor Study Start (KABS) are standing by in orange T-shirts to welcome the new students at both Lyngby Campus and Ballerup Campus.

From the podium in the auditorium in Building 421, Natasha Hougaard, President of PF, talks about how the student association’s highly committed board members and volunteers have long been preparing to give the new students the best possible start to their student life.

“You have a lot to look forward to here at DTU! Not only have you been admitted to a world-class technical university. You’ve also been admitted to a university that values your opinion highly because it knows how important your voice is. At the same time, you’ve been admitted to the university with Denmark’s largest, oldest, and best student association—Polyteknisk Forening—which advocates the students’ interests every single day,” says Natasha Hougaard.

The new cohort on the General Engineering programme are the only students to be given a separate, physical welcome, while the rest of the just over 2,300 BSc and BEng students are gathered in groups around campus to hear the traditional welcome speeches as a live-stream from the libraries at Lyngby Campus and Ballerup campus.

PF's spokesperson Nastasha Hougaard encourages the students to take an active part in the student association's social and professional network. — PF’s spokesperson Nastasha Hougaard encourages the students to take an active part in the student association’s social and professional network. Photo: Mikal Schlosser

Polyteknisk Forening organizes, among other things, DTU Study Start with the help of approx. 250 vectors and 31 KABS. Photo: Mikal Schlosser

A group of older students called vectors at DTU Ballerup Campus who guide and mentor new students. Photo: Mikolaj Bejster

Science show demonstrates what you can do as a chemist

One of these places is Building 451, where the BSc in Chemistry and Technology programme holds a welcome day for 72 new students, with 53 having turned up in person.

22-year-old August Johannsen, who is studying Chemistry and Technology in the fifth semester, can testify to exactly how much time the older student volunteers have spent planning the study start:

“We started meeting regularly once a week already in February to plan the study start, and I’ve also used two weeks of my summer holiday. I’m responsible for the logistics, and I’ve been responsible for booking rooms and hiring the seven vectors who will welcome the new students today,” says August Johannsen about his responsibility as KABS.

The DTU ScienceShow, which was recently named Denmark’s best in this discipline, has also been hired for the study start to show the budding chemists how to disseminate science in a fun and educational way. The two DTU students Astrid and Lin stand in front of the group and start mixing different chemicals, which change colours like traffic lights. Green, yellow, and red.

It is 19-year-old Klara Zogovic’s first day as a Chemistry and Technology student at DTU, and she takes part in an experiment in which she acts as a human extension cord. The experiment uses the water and salts contained in the human organism to transport electricity to a loudspeaker.

“I chose to study at DTU because I’ve heard that it’s the best university in chemistry with good lecturers and good resources. I’m interested in working with the development of pharmaceuticals, and this study programme provides me with a basis in chemistry,” says Klara Zogovic, who comes from Sønderborg.

Students participated in fun scientific experiments. Photo: Mikal Schlosser

DTU ScienceShow dabbled with fire. — DTU ScienceShow is recruiting new members from September and DTU students from all fields of study can apply to join the team. Photo: Mikal Schlosser

Name game with a leek. A fun way to learn the names of your new fellow students. Photo: Mikal Schlosser

What is DTU Study Start without a little dancing? Photo: Mikal Schlosser

A study environment like no other

The vectors and KABS take the new students on introduction trips during the first week. In the past few years, there has been focus on ensuring that the fresher’s trip has something for everyone, and there are therefore no less than seven different introduction trips to choose from. They range from a one-day trip at Lyngby Campus to a weekend trip in cabins as well as a three-day or four-day fresher’s trip at Lyngby Campus or in cabins. All trips offer options with or without alcohol and in Danish or English.

21-year-old Johannes Lei, who is a new Chemistry and Technology student, has chosen to go on a four-day fresher’s trip in a cabin.

“My father and sister, who both graduated as engineers from DTU, recommended it. They told me that DTU is the coolest place to study because of its unique study environment,” says Johannes Lei to explain his choice.

He chose to enrol in the Chemistry and Technology programme after giving it much thought:

“It was important for me to make the right choice. Therefore, I have both done a ‘Student internship’ at DTU and participated in the ‘Student for a Day’ event to try out different study programmes,” says Jonannes Lei, before returning to the table to continue the conversation with his new fellow students.

The semester starts on Monday, 28 August, when classes begin for all DTU students.

Technical University of Denmark