There will be an upbeat vibe at USC Gympie on Wednesday (22 February) as new students are introduced to university life with a packed Orientation program that includes live music and a free lunch.

Orientation will begin at 10am with a Welcome to Country and official opening at USC’s campus in Cartwright Road.

The event will include the launch of USC’s new Reconciliation Action Plan, a three-year strategy that sets out the University’s commitments to helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieve success.

The strategy includes a framework for embedding Indigenous perspectives and knowledge into the curriculum at USC.

As part of the Orientation program, students will attend specific information sessions, meet academic staff from their study programs and join in workshops on IT and research fundamentals.

Student mentors will provide insights into campus life and staff will introduce students to the free wellbeing services offered by USC, including counselling and study support.

About 80 new students will start classes at USC Gympie from Monday 27 February, with a total enrolment of more than 230 expected in Semester 1.

The commencing students have enrolled in degrees including Nursing Science, Primary and Early Childhood Education, Business and Accounting, Social Sciences and USC’s free university bridging program, Tertiary Preparation Pathway.

USC Gympie students are also invited to attend the welcome activities held during the week-long Orientation to USC program at the USC Sunshine Coast at Sippy Downs.

More information on Orientation can be found at www.usc.edu.au/orientation

— Clare McKay