Like many institutions, the University of Ottawa uses a variety of means to promote the advantages of studying at this historic institution. The Virtual Campus Tour, launched on October 26, is the latest option for would-be students to catch a glimpse of the campus environment.
Student ambassadors Leah Brooks and Jean-Michel Aubin with Daniel Lévesque from TLSS behind the camera
For Jim Kohan, manager of e-marketing, who was responsible for developing the tool, the project was a collaborative experience that he’d like to repeat. The support received from the Liaison Office, the Registrar’s Office, Teaching and Learning Support Service and the campus communication officers was exceptional, he says.
Key contributors to the project were the Liaison Office’s student ambassadors who offer guided campus tours, year-round, answering questions from potential students and their parents on everything from the types of sports facilities available to the likelihood of obtaining a scholarship.
“Much of the content was driven by their insider knowledge, with their contributions proving invaluable in transposing the actual campus tour online. The virtual campus tour even has some advantages over the “live” tour, allowing visitors to virtually go places where visitors can’t, for example, the biotechnology and medical laboratories,” says Marie Carmelle Ruel, e-marketing project manager.
The Virtual Campus Tour offers 12 different videos, hosted by student ambassadors. It also offers multiple slideshows of the people, facilities and buildings, including the residences, which give the uOttawa campus its unique flavour.
“One of the most important aspects of this project was to highlight some of our amazing facilities. From the earthquake simulator in the Colonel By Building to the Piano Pedagogy Laboratory in the Perez Building — we just keep finding more and more interesting things to show,” says Kohan.
If you have any questions or comments about the Virtual Campus Tour, contact Jim Kohan at jkohan@uOttawa.ca.
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