From the Vice-Chancellor
The natural disasters in many parts of Australia have understandably
affected us all. As a former medical practitioner in rural communities, I appreciate
how the kindred spirit to rebuild is alive and strong within these devastated communities
and, like so many others, the Bond community has come forward to help. In January,
the University provided a $10,000 donation to the (Queensland) Premier's Flood Appeal
and we raised more than $18,500 from staff, students, alumni and friends of the
university to support affected students, our sustainable development students continue
to volunteer with architects and engineers doing assessments, and many staff have
personally volunteered their time to help with the clean up. The road to recovery
will be long, but the Bond community is committed to assisting; however we can.
I was pleased to welcome our first Architectural Studies students this semester
and thank benefactor Mr Soheil Abedian and his wife Anne for making a personal visit
to meet with and inspire them. The students took the opportunity to showcase their
first pieces of assessment.
The results of the recent Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) report were
most pleasing with highly positive feedback for our university. The Australian Financial
Review even commented that our Business and Management research efforts are rated
equal 4th in Australia – an outstanding result for a small and young university.
Whilst our focus is, and must be, on the 'quality student experience' with an emphasis
on small classes, academics and facilities, the nexus between teaching and research
is well established. We will use this latest report to plan the next stage of our
'quality' journey as a leading international university in Australia.
In other great news, and following the highly commendable results of the 2010 Australian
Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) audit, Bond has been selected by AUQA as the
international exemplar of Internationalisation of the Curriculum. International
university colleagues are now looking to Bond’s description of good practice to
model their approach to teaching their international students and preparing all
students to contribute to the global society.
I am confident that the vast majority of the Bond community understand only too
well that such positive outcomes continue to build upon and enhance our reputation
as a leading international institution.
Regards,
Professor Robert Stable
Vice-Chancellor and President
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RESEARCH CONTINUES
TO STRENGTHEN
Bond University's
research portfolio has received several boosts already this year. Congratulations
to Dr Mike Raybould who has received $400,000 research funding from the Australian
Government – Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) for his project
into climate change management of coastal areas.
In addition to the University's overall pleasing result in the recent Excellence
in Research for Australia (ERA) report (as mentioned in the VC's message), the Faculty
of Business excelled achieving a "World Standard" ranking in the areas of commerce;
management; tourism and services; and economics; and “Above World Standard” for
business and management. These results indicate that the increased focus of the
University to balance research and teaching is working. With external grants increasing
from $200,000 in 2004 to $4.2 million in 2010, we expect the next report, due in
2013, will see an even better result.
Finally, our medicine students now have the opportunity to study in a hospital environment
following the establishment of the Bond University Clinical Education and Research
Centre (BUCERC) at Robina Hospital. The $2.7 million state-of-the-art facility,
funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)
Capital Development Pool, Queensland Health, and Bond University, is part of the
wider Robina Hospital expansion. The BUCERC will officially open next month with
a public open day set for March 5, 2011. All are welcome to attend.
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GCCC PARTNERS
WITH ISDA
Earlier this
month the Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) Mayor and several councillors visited the
Institute of Sustainable Development and Architecture (ISDA) in recognition of a
newly-formed partnership to fund a Professor of Sustainable Development and Design
and a PhD student.
The appointees will provide academic and research leadership within the ISDA as
well as participating in community affairs and networking with industry, government
and key stakeholders to further strengthen the Gold Coast's reputation as a hub
of world-leading educators and researchers in sustainable development.
Bond University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Stable said the support from
the GCCC was significant.
"This partnership will open the doors for many years to come for a great number
of Gold Coast residents and business owners, students, and council members. It will
provide access to the latest, innovative research, state-of-the-art facilities,
world-leading academics, and it will enable us to strive for the same goal of making
our city sustainable,” said Professor Stable.
Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke said the partnership would enhance the city’s reputation
for sustainable development, as well as play an important part in the Council’s
overall climate change strategy.
“The partnership will add significantly to the body of knowledge and expertise,
which will help ‘future-proof’ our city, through a more sustainable economy and
environment,” said Councillor Clarke.
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The Courts and
the Media in the Digital Era Symposium, held on February 12, attracted some of the
industry's best including keynote speakers News Ltd Chairman and CEO, Mr John Hartigan;
Chief Justice of Queensland, The Hon. Paul de Jersey AC; and Shadow Attorney-General,
Senator George Brandis. Click here to read more about the event.
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