Welcome, or welcome back as the case may be, to a new semester and a new year. I would like to extend a special welcome to the new Bondies who are commencing their studies with us.

'007 will indeed be Bond's year, with many initiatives being undertaken to enhance the programs at Bond, and to further engage with Alumni, business and the wider community.

There are already signs that this will be our biggest year yet, with record interest in our degree programs both nationally and internationally. I believe this outstanding result is recognition of our growing reputation as a leading Australian Univeristy, as recognised by the 2007 Good University Guide, and also a result of the Federal Government's increases to the FEE-HELP loan scheme in 2006, which has undoubtedly  gone a long way to affording Australian students far more choice when selecting their higher education provider.

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 appointed former A.C.T. Small Business Commissioner Professor Michael Schaper as Head of its School of Business.

Along with leading the Bond University School of Business, Professor Schaper will also be teaching and researching in the areas of small business and entrepreneurship at the private and not-for-profit Bond University, based on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

A previous President of the Small Enterprise Association of Australia & New Zealand, Professor Schaper is currently a member of the board of directors of the International Council for Small Business. Between 2003 and 2005, he held the foundation professorial chair in Entrepreneurship and Small Business within the University of Newcastle – the first dedicated chair in small business in Australia. Prior to this, he was senior lecturer responsible for the entrepreneurship degree program at Curtin University in Western Australia.

Before his academic career, Professor Schaper worked for several years as a professional small business adviser in Australia. In addition, he ran his own business and was involved in a numerous other start-up projects. Professor Schaper also spent several years working as a Ministerial Adviser at the state and federal level, acting as a policy adviser, speechwriter and consultant to numerous Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament. He was a member of the Senate of the University of Western Australia for three years.

Professor Schaper is the author or co-author of eight books, all in the field of business management, and an occasional columnist in the Australian business media.

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.

Dr Bon Gray and Dr Angela van Daal from Bond University have been awarded a major research grant ($178,000 over one year) that will fund a project investigating: “Transcriptional regulation of gene expression in human lymphocytes: Potential applications to the detection of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH)”.

The funding outcome for Dr Gray and Professor Angela van Daal reflects the very interactive approach by the Anti-Doping Research Program (ADRP) to research.  The administrators of the Anti-Doping Research Program and the originator of the ADRP are to be congratulated on their approach to extending scientific inquiry.  Such an innovative and interactive approach to awarding research funding ensures that the progress of science is advanced and that full power and effect of science is harnessed to eliminate 'cheats in sport'.

In this regular column we celebrate the many and varied successes of Bond University staff, students and Alumni.

This month we recognise the achievements of Bond University Alumnus John Margerison, current student Mathew Belcher, and our 063 Organisational Behaviour class.

If you know of a good success story, please share it with us by emailing kristie_robinson@bond.edu.au.

IA Global Announces Appointment of John Margerison to Board of Directors
Bond University Alumnus John Margerison was appointed to Florida-based IA Global Inc.’s Board of Directors and to the Merger and Acquisition Committee on January 1, 2007. IA Global, Inc. is a public holding company focused on acquiring primarily Asian Pacific companies that operate in the telecommunication and finance markets.
IA Global Inc.’s President, Mark Scott, said, "We are pleased to have John Margerison join the board of directors. He brings extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and funding, particularly in the Australian market."
A Bachelor of Commerce graduate, Mr. Margerison is an Australian citizen and serves on the board of several companies, including Australian Secured Financial Limited and affiliates, DJ Capital Holdings Limited and DJ Capital Solutions Limited.

Bondy to represent Australia at Beijing Olympics
Bond University student Mathew Belcher, the highly talented Gold Coast Olympic sailing team challenger, has thrown down the gauntlet to win selection for the 2008 Australian Beijing Olympic yachting team.
Mathew combined with the equally skilled Tasmanian sail handler Nick Behrens to win the Australian 470 dinghy championship on Brisbane’s Waterloo Bay last month.

Organisational Behaviour class raises over $3,000 for charity
Projects organised by students of last semester’s Organisational Behaviour class - taught by Professor Cynthia Fisher and Visiting Teaching Fellow Jane Murray - have raised over $3,000 for charity.
Students put their project management skills to good use, with seven project teams successfully executing fundraising projects to benefit charities including the Queensland Cancer Fund, Surf Lifesaving Australia, the Starlight Foundation, and a local Gold Coast charity for disadvantaged youth.

Parents of past, present and future Bond students are invited to the "Parents of Bond" networking lunch.

Date: 2 February, 2007

Location: Bond University Club, Level 3, University Centre

For more information please contact Lana Gibson on (07) 5595 1113 or email lana_gibson@bond.edu.au.

063 Graduation

Date: February 3
Location: Sports Hall, Bond University

Undergraduate ceremony commences at 11am
Postgraduate ceremony commences at 3pm

For further information, please contact Helen Andrews at helen_andrew@bond.edu.au or phone (07) 5595 1701.

8th Latin Masquerade Ball

Date: Friday 16 February

The famous Latin Masquerade Ball is back! Hosted by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, this swank night out is not to be missed- mark the date in your diaries now! More details to follow, or email shona_mcdonagh@bond.edu.au.

Bond Business Leaders

Date: January 31
Time: 6pm
Location: Cerum Theatre

Mr Richard Sheppard, Deputy Managing Director, Macquarie Bank, presents to Bond University and the local community.

This event is free to attend, but please RSVP for catering purposes to Ms Katie Milner at katie_milner@bond.edu.au or phone (07) 5595 2292.

Headstart Day- Yr 11 students

Date: April 16

Year 11 Students are welcomed on campus for a taste of a day in the life of a Bond University student.

Read further details about Headstart Day.

Student for a semester
Next intake: May Semester, with applications open early April

Student for a Semester is open to Grade 11 and 12 students in January, May and September each year. As an enrolled Bond University student, participants complete a university level subject for which they gain credit towards their future degree. This is a great opportunity for students to experience university life – both academically and socially – and gain an insight into study areas of interest. For more information or to apply, interested students should see their school’s Career Advisor or click here for an application form. 

Open Day 07

Date: August 19
Location: Bond University

Don't miss our annual Open Day- mark the date in your diary now! Further details to follow.

For more information, please contact Lana Gibson at lana_gibson@bond.edu.au or phone (07) 5595 1113.

All Upcoming Events

View the Bond University Events Calendar

SPORTS MANAGEMENT GRADUATE SIGNS WITH GOLD COAST TITANS

Bond graduate Chris Knell secured his dream job with the NRL’s newest team – the Gold Coast Titans – simply by being in the right place at the right time.

As Marketing Services Coordinator in the lead-up to Titan’s first season, Chris is an integral part of the behind-the-scenes team charged with establishing the Titans brand and building a fan base.

"One of my professors at Bond – former rugby league player, Tim Fuller – recommended me for an internship with Titan’s boss Michael Searle at International Sports Australia while I was studying my Postgraduate Diploma and Masters of Sports Management," says Chris.

"When I graduated, Michael offered me a full-time position with the Titans, as Marketing Services Coordinator.

"Like most of the plum roles in sports management, the job was never advertised. It’s a matter of knowing the right people and putting yourself in front of them. The contacts at Bond University enabled me to do that."

Chris’ sports marketing role with the Titans is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, following his decision to change careers just three years ago.

After graduating from high school in Geelong, Chris opted for a career in hospitality, working for some of the most prestigious five-star hotels in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne while he completed a Bachelor of Business (Hotel Management) at the Australian International Hotel School in the ACT.

But managerial placements in the Sydney and Melbourne Hyatt Hotels weren’t enough to quell his passion for sports.

"I played basketball at a reasonably high level before deciding to try my hand at professional golf by enrolling at the Australasian Golf Academy program at Royal Pines," says Chris.

"The theoretical component of the golf academy course was conducted at Bond University. It was around this time that I realised I wasn’t going to make it to the top ranks as a competitor and decided to look into the business management side of sport."

Chris was one of the first students to go through Bond’s Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management and then stayed on to do his Masters.

"Sports management jobs are not easy to find. Most of the organisational roles are traditionally filled by former players who have worked their way up through the ranks.

"But, as more associations make the transition from amateur to professional status, they are starting to look outside this inner circle for people with higher level qualifications.

"These days, sports clubs are involved in sponsorship deals, commercial arrangements, player contracts, event management and all manner of complex negotiations that can be quite different to those you would encounter in the wider business arena.

"So, acquiring management qualifications specifically relating to this industry is the ideal way to establish a career in the ever-widening world of sports.

"At the same time, it will always help to have those contacts - as I had at Bond -who can put you in the right place at the right time."