Have you visited the new student spaces within the PNR and Carslaw buildings?

Learning hubs incorporate technology and facilities for interactive study, research and collaboration, to help students get the most out of their learning experience.

Learning hubs include:

• access to over 200 software systems via your virtual desktop
• printing services
• wi-fi access
• power points for charging phones, tablets, and laptops.

There are also staff on hand to provide general IT support and tell you about the new technology.

Another new collaborative space, featured in the Vice-Chancellor’s student welcome video, has also opened in PNR Drawing Office 1. Designed for formal teaching, the room also allows for small group work via collaborative ‘pod’ technology.

Learning hubs are part of the informal learning network, which also includes the Wentworth Learning Hub and the redeveloped Fisher Library, due for completion later this year...

For more information visit the student IT website.

Access your unit of study resources on the go!

Download the Blackboard Mobile Learn app from your mobile device's app store or marketplace and log in with your UniKey and password.

For more information on downloading the app, including its features, log in to the University LMS.

Have your say on the new Disability Action Plan.

The Disability Action Plan (2006-2010) is currently being renewed and a project steering group has been established to assist with the implementation of the DAP (2011-2015).

The University recognises the importance of including students and staff with disabilities in the development process of the DAP (2011-2015). Disability Services is calling for expressions of interest from staff and students to constitute a core reference and consultation group for the work of the DAP.

Read more about the DAP. If you are interested in these positions, contact Dagmar Kminiak by Friday 23 March.

Only one week left to apply for the Compass volunteer program! Make a valuable contribution to the lives and education of primary and high school students.

The Compass program works in partnership with schools across Sydney to provide enriched learning experiences and deliver educational support programs.

You will receive full training, transport reimbursement and the chance to gain valuable experience and meet new people. See this inspirational video for more on the volunteer experience.

Visit the Compass website to find out more and apply online. Applications close this week on Friday 16 March.

Help set a global standard for news by taking part in this study.

Participants will watch some TV news items and fill in a questionnaire while researchers measure heart rate.  The study will take around one hour and you will be compensated for your time.

To be eligible, you must have lived in Australia for more than 20 years.

When: Between 19 March and 5 April, at a time of your convenience.
Where: Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, room 102, Mackie Building, Camperdown Campus (over Parramatta Road footbridge)

For more contact Annabel McGoldrick.

Represent the University of Sydney at this event in Canberra.

The University of Sydney has partnered with the Go8 universities and the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) to develop the inaugural student forum on ethical decision-making.

Four successful applicants will meet and work with representatives from all of the Go8 Universities. The event will feature guest speakers from the St James Ethics Centre, ethical decision-making discussions, problem solving scenarios, social networking opportunities and a tour of ADFA.

To apply, send an email by Wednesday 21 March that includes your:

• 200-word response to the topic, "Why ethical decision-making matters for Global Citizens"
• full name
• student identification number (SID)
• faculty and year of study
• contact phone number.

This is a unique opportunity to access free weight loss treatment with clinical psychologists who specialise in the area of weight loss management.

The Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders is conducting a free weight loss program for overweight individuals aged 18 years or older. The program aims to determine which of two promising treatments is the most effective in helping people alter their eating and physical activity so they can lose weight and keep it off.

For more information, please contact Claire McAulay on ph: 9036 3442.

Runners are invited to participate in a study that aims to determine if glutamine supplementation can reduce the risk of heat injury.

If you’re a male runner aged 18 to 45 years – who has never experienced heat illness requiring medical attention during a race, and can run continuously for an hour in hot conditions – your participation is sought in this research.

The study will involve five visits (totalling nine hours) and blood sampling. You’ll also learn about your current fitness level, or ‘VO2max’.

For further information, please contact Marilyn Ong.

Graduate applications at many organisations are open now. Take advantage of the careers fairs and employer presentations on campus in March to meet employers and get help with your applications.

As part of our “Applying for Graduate work” series, Ernst & Young will present an information and networking event at 1pm on Wednesday 14 March and an assessment centres workshop Friday 16 March.

And don’t forget to get career centred at the Local. Global. Connected careers fair, Monday 26 March, 12 to 4pm.

Beachball 2012; be a director for Humanitarian Week; sign up for the Band Comp!

Beachball 2012

Beachball – the legendary start of semester party – is as much a part of uni as the all-night cram for exams. But it’s also a great line-up of DJs and dance acts, and a place to meet new friends.

Humanitarian Week 2012: director applications open

If you want to educate the university community about humanitarian or social justice issues, then this is your chance to put your ideas into action! The USU is seeking two energetic, talented and creative people to develop a week’s worth of events and activities (7 to 11 May).

Band Comp entries open

The Sydney Uni Band Comp is open again for another year! Get your entries in at the ACCESS Desk, Level 1 Manning House, before 5pm Thursday 5 April. Heats start in May. Full draw will be released in the last week of April.

1st place $2500, 2nd place $1500, 3rd place $750.

Learn more about ‘reasonable adjustments’ and how to register for support; understanding and stopping discrimination, harassment and bullying; and your general rights on campus and in the wider community.

Postgraduate students living with disability are invited to join Dagmar Kminiak from Disability Services and Amy McGowan from Inner City Legal Centre for an exciting workshop on disability rights.

Event details
When: 4.30 to 6pm, Tuesday 27 March
Where: Assembly Hall, Old Teachers’ College, Camperdown Campus
Food and drinks will be provided.

To register or for further information, contact Stephen Kilkeary at SUPRA.

SciNaPPS – Science, Neurology, and Psychiatry/Psychology Seminars – presents this free seminar on developmental eye disease at the Brain and Mind Research Institute.

Over the years researchers have identified PAX6, SOX2 and OTX2 as genes mutated in human eye malformations. These are transcription factors with multiple roles in eye and brain development. They are flanked by complex genomic regulatory domains that function as enhancers, driven by regulators. Together they constitute networks required for robust eye development, and some components have emerged as additional disease genes.

Presented by Professor Veronica van Heyningen, MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Event details
When: 1 to 2pm, Thursday 15 March
Where: Level 5 Lecture Theatre, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown
Cost: Free

For more information, visit the Faculty of Science website.

Join a lively discussion about the past, present and future of art history with two pioneering writers, as we look at the place of art in the contemporary world.

Known as pioneers of ‘the new art history’, Keith Moxey and Michael Holly share a commitment to the belief that 'still art still matters'. They believe that new thinking in the visual arts can emerge from engagement with historical art as well as from the contemporary.

Co-presented by Sydney Ideas and the Power Institute.

Event details
When: 6 to 7.30pm, Tuesday 20 March
Where: CCANESSA Room, Madsen Building, Camperdown Campus
Cost: Free and open to all with no ticket or booking required.

For more information, visit the Sydney Ideas website.

By checking surviving architectural elements and historical documents from the German Archaeological Institute, archaeologist and architect Professor Hermann Kienast has new evidence that allows us to form a more accurate picture of the site. It also gives us new interpretations and raises new questions.

Professor Kienast, an engaging and enthusiastic speaker, will enthral with his archaeological detective story.

Event details
When: 6.30 for 7pm, Wednesday 21 March
Where: Australian Archaeological Institute, Athens Room 480, Level 4, Madsen Building, Camperdown Campus
Cost: $20 including wine and refreshments.

To reserve your place book online or call 9351 4759 (payment will be taken on the night)

The University of Sydney and RESULTS International (Australia) present a forum to build support for Australia’s efforts in the fight for the health and survival of children around the world.

The keynote speaker is Seth Berkly, chief executive of the GAVI Alliance, a global health partnership that saves children’s lives by increasing access to immunisation.

The keynote response will be presented by the Director General of AusAID, Peter Baxter.

Event details
When: 8.45am to 1pm, Friday 23 March
Where: Lecture Theatre 101, New Law Building, Camperdown Campus
Cost: Free
Register online

For more information, visit the Events website.

Come to a free lunchtime seminar about proposals for the constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.

The Constitutional Reform Unit of the Sydney Law School is holding a lunchtime information session for staff and students about Indigenous constitutional recognition.

We will cut through the media hype and give you expert analysis on what the panel proposed, what is controversial and where we go from here. Come along and become an expert in your lunch hour.

Event details
When: 1 to 2pm, Friday 30 March
Where: Lecture Theatre 101, first floor of the New Law Building, Camperdown Campus
No booking required.