Hailing from 15 different countries including Iran, Germany, China, the United States and India, the students will study in 12 of the University's 16 faculties.

Caroline Perinet and Alexandre Cadet (pictured), both of France, moved to Australia together to study for a Master of Engineering (Electrical). Caroline earned a Sydney Achievers International Scholarship, while Alexandre won a Dr Abdul Kalam International Scholarship, awarded by the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.

"Australia is seen as a bit of a dream country in France for its culture and environment," says Caroline.

"Most French students go to the UK to study. We wanted to improve our English by studying in an English-speaking country, but also to spend time in Sydney's beautiful environment and relaxed culture."

Read the full story.

Tell us about your experience of Orientation 2012 for the chance to win a $200 Co-op Bookshop voucher.

What events did you attend, how helpful were they, and are there any improvements you'd recommend for future programs? Even if you didn’t attend Orientation let us know why, so we can make the program more accessible to everyone.

Please complete the anonymous survey, which will take about 5 minutes (you'll need to agree to the terms and conditions before completing the survey). By completing the survey you will be entered into the draw for a $200 Co-op Bookshop gift voucher.

Thank you for taking the time to participate. We greatly value your feedback.

The Financial Assistance Service has over 200 advertised bursaries on offer for Semester One, 2012.

If you are a full-time undergraduate Australian citizen, who has made sufficient academic progress and is in financial need, you may be eligible for a bursary. For more information, see the undergraduate bursaries web page. Applications close 5pm, Monday 30 April.

Bursaries are also available for first-year students, Indigenous students and students from specific faculties. For more information about bursaries and other types of financial assistance, visit the Financial Assistance Services website.

Get some helpful advice for staying on track with your studies.

Free 'Staying on Track' sessions are on this week.

Students placed on the Academic Progression Report (Stage 1, 2 or 3) can have an attendance slip signed – just remember to bring your student ID.

No enrolment is necessary, just head to Room 513, Level 5, Jane Foss Russell Building, Darlington Campus to attend each skillshop. For more information, call 8627 8433 or 8627 8437.

Managing Group Work
1 to 2pm, Monday 26 March

Learn to manage working with other students effectively and collaboratively.

Relationships
1 to 2pm, Tuesday 27 March
Learn how to develop worthwhile relationships.

Procrastination
1 to 2pm, Tuesday 3 April

Do you leave your assignments to the last minute? Are you always finding something else to do when faced with study? Deal with the worry of study and get the job done. 

Have you visited the Multifaith Chaplaincy Centre?

The Multifaith Chaplaincy Centre provides spiritual support during times of crisis, organises workshops, prayer and support groups, conducts weddings and funerals, and offers faith and spiritual guidance to staff and students at the University. The centre’s chaplains are appointed by their faith communities and are officially recognised by the University.

For more information, visit the Chaplaincy website.

The Chinese government is offering scholarships for Sydney Uni students to study in China in 2012 and 2013.

These scholarships are offered by the Chinese Ministry of Education, and administered by the China Scholarship Council. Science, technology, agriculture, medicine, economics, law, management, education, history, liberal arts and philosophy students may apply.

Register and apply online and email a PDF copy of your application to David Boyd. The application deadline is 10 April 2012. For more information, contact David Boyd.

Ever wanted to see a picture of your brain? Healthy Caucasian females aged 18 to 50 years are invited to participate in a study on emotion, anti-depressants (single-dose) and genetics.

This clinical trial will be conducted at the CADE Clinic, Royal North Shore Hospital. Participation will involve two testing days, one week apart, and includes neuroimaging (fMRI). Your participation will help make a difference to our understanding of the way in which antidepressants work.

If you are interested please contact Tim Outhred, doctoral candidate in the School of Psychology.

Male volunteers are required for a diet supplement study looking at improving heart health.

Calling all males aged 18 to 60 years! Do you carry that little bit of excess body weight? Would you like to participate in research to improve your health, but don't want to change your diet or exercise habits?

Researchers at the Heart Research Institute and Faculty of Health Science are looking for male volunteers to participate in a 12-week diet supplement study. The health assessment includes full blood counts, magnetic resonance imaging body scans and free diet supplements. No changes to diet or exercise habits are required.

For more information, contact Helen Parker on 0401 834 392.

Researchers from the Faculty of Health Sciences are seeking healthy participants who currently do not have back problems, or participants with acute or chronic low back pain (LBP).

Using established clinical tests, the researchers will ascertain mechanisms of LBP by investigating whether there are differences in the sensation of warmth and cold in patients with acute or chronic LBP, compared with people without LBP. Your participation requires testing at the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Laboratory at Cumberland Campus (Lidcombe). The testing will comprise one 90-minute visit to the laboratory.

For further information please contact Dr Markus Huebscher on 9351 9013.

The ‘Local. Global. Connected.’ careers fair features employers from the public and private sectors, that want to recruit Sydney Uni students into their graduate, internship and vacation work programs. 

This year, the University will partner with industry to showcase opportunities and initiatives around sustainability, corporate responsibility and 'green' jobs.

The fair is open to all students in all degrees, but penultimate and final year students are strongly encouraged to attend and find out about internship opportunities, graduate roles, and application and interview procedures.

For more information and to get the list of employers attending, visit the 'Local. Global. Connected.' website.

Applications for this one-week, intensive professional skills program are now open.

The Graduate Edge program helps students develop personal branding, networking and communication, leadership and teamwork skills for the workplace that are highly regarded by employers. Corporate partners include Ernst & Young, Reckitt Benckiser, UBS, Macquarie, KPMG, Deloitte, PWC and the Commonwealth Bank.

Students from the Business School and the faculties of Engineering and Information Technologies, Science, Law, and Arts and Social Sciences are strongly encouraged to apply for this career development program. For more information, visit the Graduate Edge website and download an application form to apply now.

Check out International Week and ‘See Hear Speak’, a campaign to raise awareness of sexual harassment.

International Week
27 to 29 March
 
International Week is a new initiative by the USU, promoting the amazing cultural diversity on campus. This three-day event showcases the unique customs, languages and costumes of the many different nationalities and ethnic groups here at Sydney Uni – bringing everyone together to enjoy!

See Hear Speak
4pm Thursday 22 March
Verge Gallery

Join us at the launch of the Jessie Street Trust's 2012 initiative, ‘See Hear Speak’. This campaign to raise awareness of sexual harassment will be officially launched by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, and MC’d by social commentator Nina Funnell. Proudly supported by the USU.

What is the contemporary ‘dialogue’ between Buddhism and neuroscience, as promoted by the Dalai Lama and his Western followers?

Buddhism has attempted to redefine itself in relation to neuroscience. But before talking of a possible convergence between neuroscience and Buddhism, divergences must be acknowledged.

Presented by Bernard Faure, Kao Professor in Japanese Religion at Columbia University and the Buddhist Education Foundation Visiting Professor of Buddhist Studies at the University of Sydney for 2012.

Event details
When: 6pm, Tuesday 27 March
Where: Foyer, New Law Building, Camperdown Campus
Cost: Free, no booking required

For more information, visit the Sydney Ideas website.

Hear how America's largest supplier of college-branded clothing is reaping success after embracing an ethical business model and avoiding sweatshop production.

Knights Apparel has listened to labour experts, US retailers and customers in devising a model that pays a real living wage to employees in its Dominican Republic factory, allowing many families to escape poverty, while building its brand and strengthening its bottom line.

Hear chief executive and founder Joe Bozich explain how at this special US Studies Centre event, supported by the NSW government.

Event details
When: 4.30 to 6.30pm, Tuesday 27 March
Where: The Great Hall, the Quadrangle, Camperdown Campus
Registration via the US Studies Centre website essential.