A new era begins at Bond University

Whilst most Australian universities are still in holiday hiatus, Bond University has embarked on a new era with the commencement of its seventh Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Tim Brailsford.

Wasting no time in getting down to business, Professor Brailsford, who officially took the reins on January 9, has welcomed 4,500 students to Semester One, 2012, which started yesterday.

A highly experienced leader in the tertiary sector, Professor Brailsford has joined Bond from the University of Queensland, having previously held deanship and other senior academic leadership roles at the Australian National University, Monash and the University of Melbourne.

With a number of changes facing the industry globally Professor Brailsford said it was a challenging and exciting time to be in higher education.

“Universities worldwide are at an interesting juncture of rapidly changing government policy, increasing global competition, and they are dealing with a raft of new factors with international students,” said Professor Brailsford.

“Our business is truly global and mobile in a way that knows no boundaries. It is challenging the way we teach, research, and market,” he said.

Widely experienced in international education Professor Brailsford believes the current environment coupled with Bond’s commitment to teaching excellence presents significant opportunities for the University.

“In reality Australia has a narrow experience in higher education. I have worked with a number of operating models globally and there is potential for institutions like Bond to play a significant and successful role on the world stage,” said Professor Brailsford.

“Bond has for the past 23 years offered a personalised and unique student experience providing small class sizes – the lowest student to staff ratio in the country; state-of-the-art facilities; cutting-edge technology; curriculum focused on preparing work-ready graduates; and fast-tracked degrees that give our graduates up to a 12 month head start.

“We are committed to providing Australia’s greatest student experience that produces graduates who are leaders in their field driven by ambition and desired by top-tier employers,” he said.

A distinguished researcher in finance and investments, he says he is looking forward to enhancing the University’s strong position and reputation, particularly internationally and in the area of research.

“I plan to build on the work that has been done in recent years that has seen research become a key area of focus for Bond, translating into a very high rate of growth in research income and a strengthening of research culture,” said Professor Brailsford.

“Along with maintaining the momentum of our growing research portfolio, we will remain equally committed to ensuring our programs remain cutting-edge and industry relevant. This Semester we will introduce new programs that have been created in direct response to industry demand,” he said.

These programs include the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, responding to perceived deficiencies in the current training of mid-level laboratory scientists in Australia and a new infrastructure program in the School of Information Technology that will offer a specialisation in the emerging area of cloud computing.

Students across all degrees will also be able to undertake a new subject being run by the University’s Career Development Centre, called the Bond University Professional Practice Program (BUPPP).

Described as the most comprehensive subject of its type at any university in Australia, BUPPP spans the duration of a degree, providing a learning framework around employability experiences and recognition to students undertaking such activities.

“Bond University has a stellar reputation for providing exceptional graduate outcomes for its students and this program is designed to help maximise our graduates’ employability,” said Professor Brailsford.

The Chancellor, Dr Helen Nugent AO stated: “On behalf of Bond University Council, I welcome Prof. Brailsford to this new era in the history of Bond University”.

Bond University offers cloud computing course to students

Summary: Bond University is now offering students a new specialization in cloud computing, at both undergraduate and graduate level.

Bond University, based on the Gold Coast in Australia, has bowed to industry pressure and will be offering a spe

Main arch Bond University

cialised qualification in cloud computing this year.

Dubbed ‘infrastructure’, the course is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the country. It will be available at both undergraduate and post-graduate level for students. Cloud computing is expected to continue to grow in popularity over the next few years, therefore specialists in this field will be in high demand as the computing industry continues to shift towards cloud technology.

The new course will focus on how to create a virtual environment, how to manage clouds, and how to implement them. By teaching students these key focus points of cloud computing, they become better equipped for the industry when they join the workforce.

It may also lessen the burden on businesses becoming increasingly reliant on this technology, and who do not possess the necessary skills within their companies to manage and update it.

Professor Paddy Krishnan, the head of the Department of Software Systems, said that the demand was from existing students as well as businesses:

“The technology in this cloud space has been evolving over the last four or five years and we were getting requests from industry that they were looking for these sorts of skilled people.”

Bond University has involved cloud computing within their courses for the past three years, as well as offering specialised courses in mobility and security. This latest degree course is viewed as necessary progression required for students to work in industries coming to rely on cloud computing more extensively.

The university expects demand for this course to increase within the next few years.

Bond University student wins Australia’s premier new venture competition

Former Gold Coast high school teacher and Bond University representative, Shilo Mahoney, has won Australia’s premier new venture competition – the 2011 John Heine Entrepreneurial Challenge – held in Brisbane over two days earlier this month.

Competing against teams from Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, Melbourne’s RMIT, University of NSW, Swinburne and the University of Adelaide, the EMBA graduate impressed a judging panel comprising some of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs with his business case for an international education institute.

Shilo’s prize purse included $10,000 in seed funding for his new venture and $15,000 to cover the cost of his travel to Texas in 2012 to compete in the international Venture Labs Investment Competition (formerly Moot Corp).

“It was a very unexpected win,” said Shilo, who is currently Sales and Marketing Manager for his family’s Brisbane-based construction company.

“Putting my pitch together for the Robertson International Academy was a really intensive process that required compiling detailed plans for the fund sourcing, establishment, financial and operational aspects of the concept, as well as a 60-second video presentation and a showcase display.

“The other teams put forward some really outstanding proposals and I was hoping to make the top three, so I was thrilled to be named the overall winner in such a competitive field.”

The John Heine Entrepreneurial Challenge is an Australia-wide competition for university-based teams, designed to increase the success rate of new ventures and encourage young entrepreneurs.

Candidates are required to prepare a bona fide business plan which they then have the opportunity to present to a panel of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and CEOs.

“Just going through the process of preparing an entry is a defining moment for business students,” said Shilo’s Academic Advisor and competition mentor, Assistant Professor Baden U’Ren from Bond University.

“It focuses their efforts on putting a solid structure around their business idea, enabling them to transform the concept into reality.

“Bond Business students have notched up an impressive record of success as a result of the John Heine Entrepreneurial Challenge, with three of our previous entries now operating as fully fledged businesses, including Cleanspray which won in 2007.”

For Shilo, the two days of John Heine presentation were also a key networking opportunity.

“You’re mixing with a group of people that you wouldn’t otherwise meet: The other candidates who have plans to start their own businesses and the high profile judges who are all leaders in their respective industries,” he said.

“Those contacts will be invaluable as I move into the next phase of seeking out investors to establish the Robertson International Academy.”

Having taught at St Stephens College on the Gold Coast for several years, Shilo was inspired to enrol in Bond University’s Executive MBA by his father’s enthusiasm and success in running Mahoney Constructions for almost 30 years.

The flexible delivery structure of Bond’s EMBA program allowed Shilo to continue teaching while studying but, mid-way through the course, he decided to join his father in the family business.

“It was really satisfying to see how the knowledge and skills I was acquiring at Bond could be immediately applied to help our business,” he said.

Shilo’s winning venture combines those newly-gained business skills with his in-depth knowledge of the education field.

The Robertson International Academy would fill a significant gap in the market by providing International Baccalaureate, Diploma of Business and English language studies for international and domestic high school students in the 14-to-17 age group.

It is tentatively planned for a Gold Coast location but Shilo is also considering opportunities in Sydney and Melbourne. He hopes to have the required funding in place by mid-2012 for a 2014 start date.

Bond University alumnus on international ‘stage’

Bond University Film and Television alumnus, Samantha Strauss is the only Australian to be nominated this year for an International Emmy for her series Dance Academy.

As an 18 year old, Samantha had aspirations to be a dancer on the world stage until a back fracture ended her dream. Samantha turned her passion to behind the scenes and has become a talented television writer.

“I started writing Dance Academy when I was 18, so it was a long time in the making,” Ms Strauss said.

“It finally aired on the ABC last year and now we have signed for a second season – it’s a dream come true.”

The 52-part series is a teen drama that follows the stories of six teenagers attending Sydney’s National Academy of Dance.

Dance Academy has already won a Logie this year for Most Outstanding Children’s Program. The International Emmy Award nomination is for Best Children and Young People Production.

The International Emmy Awards are run by The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The 39th International Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, November 21, 2011 in New York, and Samantha will be in attendance.

Samantha Straus

New building planned for Bond University

Bond University is again leading Australia and the world in innovative and sustainable design with the announcement of the new $16.2 million dollar Soheil Abedian School of Architecture building.

A natural extension to the rapidly growing Institute of Sustainable Development and Architecture – the Soheil Abedian School of Architecture building has been designed by globally renowned architect Sir Peter Cook from CRAB Studios in London.

Bond University Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Garry Marchant said this is a significant project for the University, the Gold Coast, and the architecture profession.

“I am truly excited about what this building will provide to our students, the community and industry,” said Professor Marchant.
“One of the most exciting features is the unique structural ‘scoops’ within an internal street, which runs the full height and length of the building.

“These ‘scoops’ will provide unique workspaces for students to exhibit and critique their work in an open classroom format, as well as providing a distinctive space for community events,” he said.

Along with classrooms and the internal street, there will also be dedicated environmental science laboratories.

Sir Peter Cook, who was knighted for his contribution to architecture, has designed the building to immerse into the surrounding environment and to complement the adjacent Mirvac School of Sustainable Development building.

The project is funded by the University with a generous contribution from benefactor Soheil Abedian, which the School of Architecture is also named after.

ADCO Constructions has been engaged as the principal contractor; construction commenced in October, with completion and use expected in January 2013.

Expected to create 2000 jobs during construction, once complete the building will house 350 architecture and environmental science students.

Sir Peter Cook joined Soheil Abedian, and Bond University Chancellor Dr Helen Nugent at the official sod turning in October, 2011.

NEW Post-Study Work Visa in Australia – Opportunities for graduates to work in Australia

Australia will introduce a work visa for international students who have graduated from Australian universities. Students graduating with a bachelor’s or master’s by coursework degree will be eligible for a two-year work visa and students graduating with a master’s by research or PhD will be eligible to work up to four years. Read more about the visa changes at the Australian Immigration department webiste

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIPS – THAT’S YOU! APPLY NOW

Bond University Australia - Campus Down Under

Value
25% to 50% of tuition fees of any undergraduate or graduate degree (excluding Bond University’s Medical Program, Master of Psychology, Doctor of Physiotherapy)
Availability
10 x 25% scholarships annually
10 x 50% scholarships annually
Eligibility
Available for international students only, for undergraduate or postgraduate study.
Applicants must currently be or have previously been in the top 5% of their high school or university class.
Students will be selected for scholarships based on outstanding academic ability. In addition, demonstrated strong leadership skills and extensive involvement in extracurricular activities will also be considered.
Students whose first language is not English must refer to and meet Bond University’s standard. English entry requirements for undergraduate applicants.
English entry requirements for postgraduate applicants.

Selection Criteria
Successful applicants will be awarded these scholarships based on their ability to meet the eligibility criteria outlined

Application Submission
All international students who have made an application to study at Bond University (by the scholarship closing date for each semester) will be considered for an International Student Scholarship. It is recommended that when students complete a Bond University Application Form, they submit a personal statement (outlining why you should be awarded a Bond scholarship), references, resume and certified copies of other relevant documentation to assist in supporting your application.

As part of the selection process, all shortlisted applicants will be required to participate in a telephone interview.

Selections for each intake of scholarship students are assessed based on academic merit. Should your submission not be successful at the time of application, your details will be reassessed for future semester intakes up until the point of acceptance.

For May 2012 closes January 16, 2012 announced End of February
For September 2012 closes May 14, 2012 announced End of June

Please note: Only short-lised applicants will be contacted for an interview. If you are not contacted for an interview by the dates stated in the general information above, then you can assume you have been unsuccessful in your application. Students will not be notified of their unsuccessful application in writing.

BOND IS AUSTRALIA’S HIGHEST RATING UNIVERSITY

Bond University is Australia’s highest rating university after earning the most five-star ratings of any university across an impressive 10 key performance indicators in the 2012 Good Universities Guide. Bond dominated the ‘Educational Experience’ categories, receiving the maximum five-star rating across the board; including in the important areas of teaching quality, student to staff ratio and overall graduate satisfaction.
An independent consumer guide, the Good Universities Guide is Australia’s only definitive guide to university performance, providing ratings, rankings, comment and information about all Australian higher education institutions.

It is the sixth consecutive year Bond has been awarded five-stars by the guide for student-staff ratio and overall graduate satisfaction. Bond University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Stable said, “The consistency of our performance in these key areas is testament to the dedication of our world-class teaching staff and our commitment to providing our students with a personalised educational experience that is second-to-none.”

In summary, the 2012 Good Universities Guide rated Bond University five stars for:

· Student-Staff Ratio
· Staff Qualifications
· All Graduates: Teaching Quality
· All Graduates: Generic Skills
· All Graduates: Overall Satisfaction
· Domestic Graduates: Teaching Quality
· Domestic Graduates: Generic Skills
· Domestic Graduates: Overall Satisfaction
· Gender Balance
· Non-Government Earnings

Bursaries Available for School of Business Graduate Study – Bond University – Australia

I am pleased to announce that the Bond University School of Business has recently released a number of new graduate bursaries for commencing students enrolling in January 2012 semester. The bursary comes in the form of a cash payment of AUD $4,200 to help with living expenses. Students who will be studying a Master of Accounting, Master of Business, Master of Business Administration or Master of Finance are eligible to apply.

Bursaries will be awarded based on both academic and extra-curricular achievements such as community involvement, leadership qualities, artistic achievements, sporting achievements, and other activities where a student has been recognised for their contribution. Applications are currently open and close December 16, 2011. Student who have already recieved their offer for January may also apply by completing a Bursary Application Form before the application closing date.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that Bond University has three semesters per year with our next semester commencing in January 2012. I encourage students to apply now for the January semester and take advantage of commencing their studies sooner. Our May semester commences May 14, September semester commences September 10.

To submit an application for 2012, please send me an e-mail at rob@campusdownunder.com or visit http://www.campusdownunder.com/apply_now/forms.php

Please do not hessitate to contact me should you have any questions.

Best wishes,
Rob Field
Admissions Director
CampusDownUnder
Local Bond University Representative
615 224 8208
2020 Fieldstone Pkwy, Suite 900-250
Franklin TN 37069

International Criminal Court Trial Competition

Congratulations to our Law Bondies, you’ve done it again – taking out the winning title of the International Criminal Court Trial Competition in The Hague, The Netherlands!. Bond University Australia