With a major building program, new degree courses and cutting edge facilities coming on line, Bond University Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Stable argues '007 is the year of Bond.
He can also point to record domestic applications for places at Australia's first private university, including oversubscription for the 80 places earmarked for medicine.
While final enrolment numbers won't be confirmed for two weeks, more than 1200 new students are expected, including 60 who will enrol in the new School of Sustainable Development.
Professor Stable said it showed Bond was on the way to shedding its 'best-kept-secret' tag.
Major projects under way include construction of a legal centre building and another Australian first - the $10 million Bond University Mirvac School of Sustainable Development.
The $10 million legal centre will contain a reproduction of the federal Supreme Court, to familiarise students with the surroundings in which they may one day practise.
Another $500,000 has been donated to the School of Business to recreate an authentic working share-trading room. It will not only give business students a feel for the stock exchange, but there are also plans for a certification course aimed at retirees and others who like to play the stock market.
Further, to prove that Bond isn't all work and no play, the university will this year unveil an elite-level volleyball court.
Existing courses will be bolstered by new programs, notably Australia's only Doctor of Physiotherapy, plus qualifications in computer games and exercise science. All students will be workforce-ready when they graduate - one of the reasons Bond has been so successful since it opened in 1989, said Professor Stable.
Other reasons included the university's growing reputation nationally and internationally, boosted by high-flying graduates in important positions around the world and success in global competitions.
The university has a five-star rating in the Good Universities Guide and is ranked equal first in Australia for graduate satisfaction and graduate starting salaries.
Demand for the business and law courses has been whetted by the university's success in world business and law moots, where it has seen off the likes of US Ivy Leaguers Stanford and Yale.
"But we're not elitist," said Professor Stable.
He said that Bond is a non-profit organisation that ploughs millions of dollars back into students' facilities.
He said entry to the three-semester year pioneered at Bond had more to do with character, determination and ability than achieving a high OP or TE score.
In fact, he said, it was dishonest of universities to target known high-achieving students and then take credit for their success.
"We consider every applicant... career, aspirations and commitment are a priority."
Professor Stable said Bond would never be the biggest university, with numbers likely to level at about 5000 students when it finished growing.
But the university would continue to aspire to be the best, Professor Stable said.
Bond University has released plans for the construction of Australia’s first fully sustainable academic building, which is set to become home to the Bond University Mirvac School of Sustainable Development.
Bond University has appointed former A.C.T. Small Business Commissioner Professor Michael Schaper as Head of its School of Business.
A major research grant will combine the academic capital of high performance science and forensic science to help eliminate the 'sporting cheats' from competition while advancing Australia’s reputation for research and policy development on anti-doping in sport.
Expand all articles
SPORTS MANAGEMENT GRADUATE SIGNS WITH GOLD COAST TITANS
