Welcoming our newest students to the ANU College of Systems and Society

This week, The Australian National University (ANU) brought together new and continuing students to mark the beginning of the semester known as Orientation Week (O-Week).

O-Week is an introductory week designed to welcome and prepare new students for life on campus. It helps students become familiar with their buildings, meet new faces and staff, and settle into University life before classes officially begin. 

For Semester 1 2026, ANU hosted a variety of activities, workshops and inductions across the campus.  

2026 Commencement Address 

The week kicked off at the University Avenue lawns, with thousands of students were greeted by speakers including ANU Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown, ANU Chancellor The Hon Julie Bishop, and alumna Caitlin Figueiredo at the 2026 Commencement Address on Monday 16 February. 

The keynote began with a Welcome to Country from the ANU First Nations Portfolio and Ngambri-Ngunnawal custodian Mr Paul Girrawah, followed by remarks from Professor Brown.

“It’s okay if it doesn’t click immediately for you. You’ll gradually find your rhythm. You’ll find your people and the things that genuinely interest you here and that sort of creates that spark inside of you,” she said.  

“Here at ANU, it’s not a place where we expect you to have everything figured out from day one. This is a place where we want your intellectual curiosity to really grow. We want you to ask questions and to never stop asking questions.” – ANU Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown

“What makes this place distinctive is our people; we value community and we value you. We have a common commitment to discovery and purpose and you're now part of that too.”  

2024 ACT Young Australian of the Year, Goan-Australian leader and ANU alumna Caitlin Figueiredo also shared timeless advice.  

“What you learn at ANU is not just content. It is armour. It equips you to think clearly when the world is noisy, to hold complexity without becoming cynical, to act with kindness without losing conviction. Change has never come from those who waited for permission.”  - ANU alumna Caitlin Figueiredo

Caitlin is recognised for her contributions to gender equality, youth empowerment and inclusive policy reform, as well as her support for communities across Australia.

“ANU allowed me to explore, to change direction, to be challenged, and to grow, and to ask questions I didn't yet have the language to ask. That freedom more than any title or credential is what shaped the life I went on to build,” says Caitlin. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Australian National University (@ouranu)

On Tuesday 17 February, the ANU College of Systems and Society held a welcome event for our newest students, which included enrolment advice and opportunities to connect with key contacts here to support students during their time at university.

It was fantastic to see a room filled with future engineers, computer scientists, environmental scientists, mathematicians, science communicators, and cybernetic experts.

Building on knowledge from 65,000 years of continuous living culture here in Australia, Professor Aaron Quigley, Dean of the ANU College of Systems and Society, encouraged students to be curious and kind as they explore the nature of things, discover who they want to be, and learn to apply this knowledge.

“You join our world-leading community of scholars who across the College explore human-centered systems thinking to invent new knowledge and address the challenges we all face. I wish you well and I’m excited to see what you will do tomorrow for our world.” – Professor Aaron Quigley, Dean ANU College of Systems and Society 

Students also had an opportunity to find their community, speak with representatives from our many clubs and societies, and take home College merchandise and snacks to power through their future studies.

The day concluded with breakout sessions led by program conveners, offering tailored advice on programs of study.  

ANUSA Market Day

On Wednesday 18 February, students had the opportunity to meet ANU-wide clubs and societies at ANUSA’s Market Day set along University Avenue. These spanned across sports, cultural, academic and social interests, such as the Table tennis club, Astronomy Society, Hindu Students’ Association and Chess Society. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Australian National University (@ouranu)

Several established College clubs and societies made their yearly appearance, while other new ones made their debut in 2026.

This year's list of active CSS clubs and societies include:

• ANU Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Society (AIMSoc)
• Artifex
• Computer Science Student Association
• ANU Data Science Community
• ANU Formula Sport
• ANU Robotics and RC Club
• ANU Rocketry
• ANU Solar Racing
• Engineering Students Association
• Engineers Without Borders
• ANU Entrepreneurship Club
• Fenner School Society
• Fifty50
• ANU Mathematics Society
• Robogals Canberra
• Science Communication Society
• Science Society ANU
• ANU Intrepid Landcare Club
• ANU Women* in STEM Society 

Thank you to all staff who were involved in making O-Week such a success and ensuring a smooth start to Semester 1, 2026. And to all our students – welcome to ANU. This is just the beginning.