• LSE's Training and Development System finalist at IT awards

The system, developed this year by IT Services, provides a ‘one-stop shop’ for training and development opportunities at LSE.

• Summer School at the National University of Singapore

LSE undergraduate students are invited to apply for a place on the 'Southeast Asia in Context' Summer School.

• Irene Huls

Security receptionist Irene's favourite place on the campus is the Tower Three reception - 'I love the surrounding plants and trees and the beautiful buildings of the Royal Courts.'

• John A Paulson funds the study of Europe's dynamic political economy at LSE

Paulson & Co. founder, John A Paulson (pictured) has donated more than £2.5 million to fund new research and teaching on Europe's unique role in the post-crisis financial world at LSE.

The gift will establish the John Paulson Chair in European Political Economy, a position which will be occupied by a leading scholar who combines expertise in finance, policy and the European Union with the reputation to speak to a global audience.

The chair will be located in LSE's European Institute which applies a broad range of academic disciplines to understand Europe's complex and developing role in the world. This comes at a time when the euro crisis has focused attention not only on the currency's future but also on how EU governments can restructure their politics, economies and social affairs in response.

• LSE’s Training and Development System is finalist in prestigious awards

The Training and Development System, developed this year by IT Services, was a finalist at the Institute of IT Training Awards 2011 in the Internal Project of the Year category.

Other finalists included major law firms, Barclays, and IBM. Although the LSE project did not win the prize on the night, the stakeholders behind the project were honoured to be recognised amongst such well-known organisations.

The Training and Development System provides a ‘one-stop shop’ for the majority of the training and development opportunities available to LSE staff and students. Events organised by the Centre for Learning Technology, Health and Safety, IT Services, the Library, Organisational and Lifelong Learning, and the Teaching and Learning Centre can be browsed and booked at www.lse.ac.uk/training.

Users can also access their personal training history to see courses they have attended or booked. Other features include automatic reminders of bookings, automated calendar appointments, and the ability to cancel or rebook courses.

In addition to the benefit for users, administrators from each of the participating departments can use the system to manage course descriptions and course materials, create attendance sheets and reports, track expenditure and room bookings, or monitor attendance by users.

• Right people, right issues, right time for sustainable revolution

The event ‘Sustainable Revolution,’ organised by social enterprise These Young Minds, took place at LSE on Tuesday 8 February.

The event included an impressive array of speakers who identified opportunities in the green economy and proffered practical solutions to societal challenges such as climate change and biodiversity.

Speakers including Mark Williams, associate partner Deloitte; Nick Heller, head of green business operations, Google EMEA; Sue Ridddlestone, CEO of BioRegional; and Martin Chilcott, CEO of 2degrees; all agreed that a sustainable revolution is the foundation that the world needs towards attaining an enduring future.

Dimitri Zhengelis, senior research fellow at the Grantham Research Institute, LSE, who was chairing the event said: ‘The topics discussed were perfectly pitched with the right people talking about the right issues at the right time. The result was a powerful discussion which clearly identified the challenges ahead and the necessary response.’

For more information, visit the These Young Minds website.

• Meat Free Mondays? Have your say

The LSESU Vegetarian Society wants to know your thoughts about bringing Meat Free Mondays to LSE, which would mean removing the sale of meat products from LSE catering outlets.

The society has created an online survey to make it easier for you to give your views and as an added incentive, all completed surveys will be entered into the prize draw for £50 worth of Amazon vouchers.

• Last chance to sign up for Green Impact Auditor training

LSE’s Sustainability Team are looking for students and staff to take part in auditing this year's Green Impact team workbooks. This is a great opportunity to improve your CV and learn some new skills. You will also receive free lunch and refreshments.

Training is available on either Wednesday 23 or Thursday 24 February and will run from 9am-4pm. The afternoon time is flexible so can fit around your schedule.

• Student Counselling Service workshops

Sleep well workshop
Monday 28 February, 12-1pm, KSW.G212
This workshop from the LSE Student Counselling Service will look at a range of difficulties associated with sleep. It will increase your understanding of the process of sleep and explore strategies and ideas about how you might work towards achieving better sleep. No need to book in advance, just turn up on time.

End of Term review
Wednesday 16 March, 12-1pm, TW1.U8
This workshop from the Teaching and Learning Centre provides an opportunity to look back over the last two terms, reviewing progress made and anticipating future challenges. It will also examine the tasks that lie ahead, particularly revision and exams. The workshop will include advice on revision techniques, and a review of stress management skills. It will be run by Lynne Roberts, study adviser at TLC and Adam Sandelson from the Student Counselling Service. No need to book in advance, just turn up on time.

• Student training at LSE

Student courses scheduled for next week include:

• Word 2010: format an academic paper
• Excel 2010: pivot tables
• Outlook 2010: outlook for business
• Exams: planning and preparation

• LSE Careers - Jobs of the Week

• River clean up, Thames21
  Help clean up London’s waterways by volunteering with this 4,000-strong environmental charity. Join in on Sunday 20 and Monday 21 February or Sunday 20 and Monday 21 March.

• Full-time opportunities and internships, Samsung
  A number of full-time and internship positions are available at Samsung HQ in Seoul. Apply by Wednesday 23 February.

• English language assistantship opportunities 2011-12, British Council
  Final year student? Become a paid language assistant working in a school or college overseas from August this year. Opportunities are available in France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland and China. Apply by Monday 28 February.

• Technical graduate development programme, BT
  Are you studying a quantitative/technical subject? If so, look into this scheme at one of the world’s leading IT and communication services companies. Apply by Thursday 31 March.

• Technology graduate campaign, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities International plc (MUSI)
  Join the European hub of one of the largest financial institutions in the world. Apply by Thursday 31 March.

• Summer intern placements, Anheuser Busch InBev
  Gain management experience with the world’s leading brewer. Internships available at a number of European sites. Apply by Thursday 31 March.

For full details of these posts and almost 850 more, visit 'My Careers Service' at www.lse.ac.uk/careers and click ‘Search for Opportunities’.

• Apply for the 'Southeast Asia in Context' Summer School at the National University of Singapore

As part of LSE’s partnership with the National University of Singapore, LSE undergraduate students are invited to apply for a place on the 'Southeast Asia in Context' Summer School hosted by the Southeast Asian Studies Programme in NUS’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

The five week programme, running from 20 June - 23 July, explores Southeast Asia’s geographical and cultural diversity, and brings together undergraduate students from NUS, Yale, University of Copenhagen and other institutions around the world.

The programme will blend classroom lectures with field-study excursion to sites in Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia. The cost of the programme is SG$7004.13 (approx £3,500), to include tuition, field trips and accommodation.

Students interested in applying should apply to the Academic Partnerships office by 4pm on Wednesday 23 February, who will nominate participants to NUS. Those nominated will be asked to complete an online NUS application form by Tuesday 1 March, and to provide relevant documentation. In order to be nominated by LSE, students must be currently enrolled as undergraduates, and in good academic and financial standing.

• Call for applications - Korean Government Scholarship Programme

One place has been allocated on the 2011 Korean Government Scholarship Programme for International Students for a UK student enrolled in a graduate programme.

The Korean government will pay full tuition fees, airfare, a monthly allowance, relocation allowance, language training fee, dissertation printing costs, and medical insurance for the duration of the programme.

Full details of eligibility requirements and an application form can be downloaded here. The application deadline is Monday 28 February.

• LSE Chill - session two

LSE Arts’ second open mic night for students and staff will be held on Friday 25 February, from 5.30pm in the 4th Floor Café bar.

The line up for the evening is as follows:

• Davina Nauth known as 'Dee'
  Davina has been a singer/songwriter and self-taught musician for over 20 years. She has an eclectic music appreciation - playing in rock, funk, folk, blues and jazz bands over the years. In 1991 she cut her first studio recording; made an EP in 2005, and is currently working on her new album. She will be performing five of her own songs.
• Joshua Bernstein
  Joshua Bernstein is a singer/songwriter/composer, located in London, who is currently playing gigs and writes music for dramatic productions and films. Joshua's songs are influenced by a wide range of musical styles, mixing catchy hooks, melodic riffs and skilful guitar work to form a collection of rock-driven, adult-contemporary style songs.

If you enjoy listening to music and want somewhere to go after studying to relax or catch up with friends, then think about coming to the LSE Chill sessions.

We’re still looking for acts to perform. If you are interested in performing then please contact arts@lse.ac.uk with your name and details of your act.

Nicole wants to hear from you!

Do you have some news, an achievement, or an aspect of LSE life that you would like to share? If so, then I would love to hear from you, contact me at n.gallivan@lse.ac.uk or on ext 7582.

The next edition of Student News is on Wednesday 23 February. Articles for this should be emailed to me by Monday 21 February. Student News is emailed on Wednesdays, on a weekly basis during Michaelmas and Lent term and fortnightly during Summer term.