Check out the new updates on the Alumni Network Portal and see how easy it is to view friends-of-friends, create your own blogs, or link your Facebook, MySpace or LinkedIn account to your profile!

The new profile feature gives community members the ability to create engaging profile pages with unique and dynamic content from around the web, all accessible from one place. For example, members can now directly embed their Facebook™, MySpace® or LinkedIn® badges, content from their Flickr™ account, Google™ Gadgets or videos from YouTube along with over 400 pre-defined news feeds directly onto their profile page.

Friends Lists
Network and keep in touch with classmates with the new friends feature. Quickly and easily send notes, share photos and reconnect using e-mail. Also our friends-of-friends system provides infinite networking opportunities through the following features:

• Customizable presentation
• Instantly see who is online
• Send e-mail, write notes, or view friends' photos
• "Add to Friends List" generates an invitation

Personal Blogging System
The built-in blogging system gives members the tools they need to write, publish, and promote blogs.  Some of the features include the ability to:

• Create multiple blogs
• Use editor to create, edit, and post
• Bookmark with sites like Stumble Upon
• Tag, comment, or forward to a friend
• Subscribe via e-mail or RSS

Haven't logged in yet? Check out the NEW Alumni Network Portal. Go to http://alumni.bond.edu.au to create your profile!

Bondies featured this month include Gunnar Larson (053), Michael Kuzilny (962) and Kate Gibson (972).

Send your BONDIES ON THE MOVE news to alumni@bond.edu.au.

Gunnar Larson (053)
Bond Alumnus, Gunnar Larson's company NetworkGlobal.tv have joined forces with Broadway Magazine to launch Broadway.tv.

The new web site features a state-of-the-art video platform, and for the first time offers a web 2.0 experience to Broadway ticket buyers around the globe. Broadway.tv allows users to watch highlights of current Broadway shows, upload video reviews, send BroadwayGrams to their favorite productions, purchase tickets and plan travel worldwide.

Michael Kulziny (962)
Success: You can make it! How young people can choose confidence and succeed is the latest book by Michael Kuzilny (962) and a must-have for any young person aged 14-24, as well as for parents, grandparents, school teachers, youth workers; indeed anyone who wishes to influence the lives of young adults for the better.

This self-help book is packed with practical wisdom on improving self image, building effective and caring relationships based on excellent communication, resisting peer pressure, the importance of goals, issues of the law, and realising one’s potential. The style is entertaining and interactive with a range of tips, check lists, case studies and life stories to inspire and motivate teens to become the super achievers that they can be.

Michael Kuzilny has a life story of success. Since graduating with a Bond Law degree 8 years ago, his experience began as an ex-cop turned prominent defense lawyer, starting his own legal firm, MK LAW, then as a legal commenter, TV presenter, and now author. There is not much Michael hasn’t seen in his 20 years of work with teenagers in the criminal justice system.

"At high school you’re taught facts and figures, but little attention is given to teaching a positive attitude. I want to rectify that," Michael says.

 For more information please contact: Michael Kuzilny at mk@mklawfirm.com or 041 555 7011.

Kate Gibson (972)
Since graduating with a Bond Law/Arts degree, Kate Gibson was employed by Minter Ellison and was admitted as a solicitor in 2001. Wanting to view a different side of the world, she then went to the Australian Mission to the UN in New York and was awarded the Commonwealth Chevening Scholarship to Cambridge University. After graduating with an LLM Kate went to The Hague to work as a Clerk to Judge Slade at the International Criminal Court.

Read about Sir Richard Branson's last minute visit to Bond University! Also read about the new Melbourne Alumni Chapter that has been established and the Alumni Chapter Events in Beijing and Shanghai. 

Melbourne
A new Melbourne Alumni Chapter has been established and will be organising their first event soon! The Melbourne Chapter committee members, Matthew Cam, Sam Marash, Tim Codrington and Justin Tilley would like to welcome alumni to the Melbourne Chapter and look forward to meeting everyone at the exciting events this year! If you would like to join this Chapter, please log onto the Alumni Network Portal and go to My Profile and update your chapter membership. We hope you enjoy the Chapter events this year!

Beijing
Bond University Associate Professor, Dr. Xiaowen Tian, hosted an intimate evening at the Crystal Jade Palace Restaurant in Beijing in February. The guests enjoyed getting together with old and new found friends. It was a great way to start the alumni year. Another Beijing event will be planned for April/May so keep an eye out for the event details! If you would like to receive information about the China chapter, please log onto the Alumni Network Portal and update your contact details.

Shanghai
A small group of Bond Alumni joined Associate Professor, Dr. Xiaowen Tian for a dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel in Shanghai. The night was close and personal and was enjoyed by all who attended. Another Shanghai event will be planned for April/May. If you would like to be informed of events in China, please update your contact details in the Alumni Network Portal.

The School of Business is offering two new masters programs from May 2008.

The Master of Marketing is a specialised program that will prepare students for senior level positions in marketing management, services marketing, brand/ product management, market research and marketing communication.

The Master of Finance  will groom students with a business background for careers in investment banking, stockbroking, foreign exchange trading, commercial lending and portfolio management. Finance students will gain the competitive edge with simulated trading experience in the Macquarie Trading Room. This state of the art facility is equipped with dual screen technology displaying live and streamed data from Reuters 3000 and Bloomberg professional.

Dean’s Scholarships of up to 40% of tuition fees are available for the new Master of Marketing and Master of Finance programs.

The Master of Marketing and Master of Finance programs can also be combined with the Master of Business Administration program, enabling students to complete a double masters program in five semesters (one year and eight months) of full time study.

For more information on the Master of Marketing or Master of Finance programs or the double degrees MBA/ Master of Marketing or MBA/ Master of Finance please contact the Office of Admissions.

Bond University, with its strong reputation for delivering quality education, is now confirming its place as a research partner of choice by providing world class research services to industry.

Bond is advancing its research activities at break-neck speed, with a staggering 87% increase in external research funding recorded over the previous year.

In the same period, the University also announced its first multi-disciplinary research centre, was awarded its first commercialisation grant, and experienced a record number of Higher Degree Research student enrolments.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research at Bond University, Professor Chris Del Mar, says that research is an integral part of Bond’s success.

"With a research profile ranging from cutting edge to intensely practical projects, Bond University is at the forefront of ‘new thinking’, developing innovative solutions to real world problems," Professor Del Mar said.

"Our success is built on devising workable solutions, tailored to suit the specific requirements of our regional, national and global industry and government partners," he said.

The University’s burgeoning research portfolio facilitated the establishment of three University Research Centres last year, in the fields of forensics, health informatics and sports.

"Each Centre combines the expertise of two or more Faculties, allowing for collaborative research ventures among our Academics and creating a vigorous research culture," Professor Del Mar said.

Professor Del Mar pointed to the University’s interdisciplinary Research Centre for Forensic Excellence, established in September 2007, as an example.

"The Centre combines expertise from Bond’s Faculties of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Health Sciences and Medicine, so it encompasses all aspects of forensic studies," he said.

"Patron of the Centre is the Honourable Justice Michael Kirby, of the High Court of Australia, and Advisory Board members include well known individuals such as the Director of the Australian Federal Police Forensic Services, a senior member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Senior Director of Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services."

He said the primary purpose of the Centre would be to undertake research encompassing all aspects of forensic studies and facilitate an ongoing dialogue between the various stakeholders in the forensics process – from the laboratory to the courtroom.

"We will be assisting all those engaged in forensic disciplines to begin speaking in a common language, replacing what currently appears to be a ‘dialogue of the deaf’ between specialists who have no obvious common ground.

"Perhaps it is unrealistic to expect to be able to fully educate lawyers in the mysteries of molecular biology or forensic psychology, (and vice versa), but we feel there is much to gain from inviting an exchange of perspectives in a mutually supportive environment," he said.

The new Centre for Forensic Excellence joins a rapidly growing portfolio of University-wide, and Faculty-based Research Centres at Bond University, that offer expertise on topics ranging from New Media and Education to Global Trade and Finance.

The extensive expertise and technological resources that exist at Bond University are made accessible to industry and government through the Bond University Research and Consultancy Services (BURCS).

"BURCS provides the link to researchers who can help with providing innovative, timely solutions to business problems or investigating R&D opportunities," Professor Del Mar said.

Services offered by Bond University include:

• Contract or commercial research
• Specialist advice
• Testing and analysis
• Program evaluation
• Feasibility studies
• Expert witness opinion
• Contract/project administration
• Identification and preparation of research funding applications
• Student projects and internships

For further information about Bond University’s research activities and services, contact BURCS on (07) 5595 1320 or email research@bond.edu.au.

Bond University has announced a new School of Hotel, Resort and Tourism Management that, in partnership with Marriott International, will offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs from January 2009.

Head of School, Professor Elizabeth Roberts, (pictured left with Chancellor Trevor C Rowe, AM), says the new programs have been developed in response to critical shortages for qualified management professionals in the hotel and tourism industry both in Australia, and internationally.

"Hospitality and tourism is now the world’s largest industry, employing one in every nine people world-wide and generating around four trillion dollars annually," she said.

"Business at this scale requires managers with highly advanced analytical and management skills, and the demand for these professionals is currently far exceeding the supply of qualified graduates.

"We have developed niche Bachelor and Masters-level programs that will equip graduates with specific knowledge in the area of revenue management to enhance their career outcomes. There are no other programs like these in Australia," Professor Roberts said.

Also unique to Bond University’s School of Hotel, Resort and Tourism Management is its industry partnership with globally recognised hotel and resort operator, Marriott International.

On the Gold Coast for the launch of the new School, Executive Vice President for Marriott International Inc. (Asia, Pacific and Australia), Mr Geoff Garside, welcomed the partnership.

"The School’s mission is to develop world class hospitality professionals who will be the hotel and tourism leaders of the future. The Australian and international hotel and tourism industry stand to benefit greatly from this initiative, and Marriott International is proud to serve as the School’s inaugural industry partner.

"We have many Australians in our leadership ranks around Asia and believe that our support to the School will assist in ensuring that the industry needs and the school curriculum are closely aligned.

"We look forward to a strong and long partnership," Mr Garside said.

Professor Roberts said the School’s association with Marriott International would result in tangible outcomes for Bond’s Hotel, Resort and Tourism Management students both during and after their studies. 

"It will be a huge asset for our students to have the opportunity to undertake work placement with such a highly regarded hotel chain that is so well recognised around the world," she said.

Professor Roberts added that in addition to completing compulsory work placement, students will also be challenged to develop the "conceptual, analytical, technical and interpersonal skills that they will need to compete in the international hotel and tourism industry."

"Building upon a framework of core business subjects, the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees will be highly specialised in the areas of finance, revenue management, asset management, and marketing.

"Essentially, our Bachelor Program is designed to attract students who want a university-level business management degree, but who aspire to a career in the hotel and tourism industry and want to stand out from the crowd," she said.

The new School will complement the existing Schools within Bond University’s Faculty of Business, Technology and Sustainable Development, with students able to use their elective subjects to gain an insight into topics such as sustainability.

"Our connection with Bond’s School of Sustainable Development will provide enormous opportunities to our students who want to gain an edge in the industry," Professor Roberts said.

"Hotel and tourism operators are increasingly looking to minimise their impact on the environment. Take, for example, all the work that has been done in the area of water conservation by Gold Coast theme parks such as Wet and Wild and Dreamworld.

"There is a huge environmental component to this program that will really appeal to Generation Y, as well as their future employers," she said.

Program offerings from the Bond University School of Hotel, Resort and Tourism Management, from January 2009, will be as follows:

• Bachelor of International Hotel and Resort Management
• Bachelor of Tourism Management

• Master of International Hotel and Resort Management
• Master of Tourism Management

*Bond University has a three semester-per-year schedule that allows students to fast-track their studies.

See photos from the launch.

Bond University will facilitate and host a Rental Affordability Financiers Forum today (Thursday, March 27), which aims to prepare an action plan to build 1,000 new, affordable rental homes in Queensland by 2010.

Federal Minister for Housing The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP will address the forum, that will bring together local government, leading not-for-profit housing providers, major banks and developers to discuss an ‘agenda for action’ to achieve the Rudd government’s promise to build 100,000 new homes for low-income Australians over the next decade.

Discussions will centre on how to implement the government’s $600 million-plus National Rental Affordability Scheme, designed to encourage investment in cheap housing, with Mr Rudd keen for Queensland to take the lead.

The forum will be facilitated by Head of the Bond University Mirvac School of Sustainable Development and one of Australia’s top housing affordability experts, Professor George Earl.

Professor Earl said the aim of the forum is to achieve agreement on how to move forward in addressing Australia’s Housing Rental Affordability Crisis.

"With over one million Australians now spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent or a mortgage, the government recognises there is a need for urgent action," Professor Earl said.

Professor Earl said there were a number of issues he expects the forum will address, including concerns over the rate of return and limited capital gain for low income housing investors, taxation allowance complexities, and the reluctance of major banks to invest in cheap housing.

He said the government recognised the necessity for an independent authority to facilitate the national forum, given the vested interests of some of the parties participating.

"Bond University was the obvious choice given our unmatched expertise in the area of housing affordability and our recent research in this area," he said.

TSXPO
The most comprehensive tertiary studies event for all school leavers, mature age students and those seeking to further their career options, is on again. Visitors have the opportunity to meet with representatives and faculty members from every Queensland University, as well as from interstate and overseas. Also represented will be government agencies, defence forces, private colleges, student services and more.

Date: July 19 - 20, 2008
Time: 10am- 4pm
Location: Exhibition Building, RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane

For more information, please visit www.tsxpo.org. Admission is free.

Bond Business Leaders Forum
Bond University offers an exclusive series of presentations from some of the most respected and high profile Australian and International business leaders on campus throughout the year.

Date: Wednesday 14 May, 2008
Location: Bond University

To be placed on the mailing list, please visit http://www.bond.edu.au/about/faculties/bus/blf/index.html.

Beijing Alumni Event
Date: Friday 2nd May, 2008 
Time: 7pm
Location: My Humble House Restaurant
(1/F, West Bldg 3, Oriental Plaza, Wangfujing next to Grand Hyatt Beijing) w31
Website: www.tunglok.com
RSVP: Please send in your reservations to Titan Liu at titan_liu@bond.edu.au.

Shanghai Alumni Event
Date: Wednesday 23rd April, 2008
Time: 7pm
Location: TMSK
Unit 2, House 11, North Block Xintiandi, Lane 181 Taicang Lu, Xin Tian Di 
181112 (Near Madang Lu, Metro Line 1 Huangpi Nan Lu Station)
Website: www.tmsk.com
RSVP: Please send in your reservations to Titan Liu at titan_liu@bond.edu.au.

All Upcoming Events

View the Bond University Events Calendar

SPECIAL NEWS
Send in news of your wedding, engagement, births and other special news. Email the Alumni Relations Office