Bond University, Australia

Founded in 1987 by maverick business tycoon Alan Bond, this eponymous institution of higher education is Oz’s first and only privately funded independent university Situated on a scenic campus on the Gold Coast, an hour’s drive from Brisbane — capital of Queensland — Bond University is Australia’s first and only privately funded, independent varsity. It comprises five faculties: business; health sciences and medicine; humanities and social sciences; information technology, and law. In particular Bond’s law and business degree programmes have been assessed among the best in Australia by the Graduate Careers Council, as have several degree courses within the school of humanities and social sciences and school of information technology. Not surprisingly this independent university attracts students from around the world. Half of its 2,000 students are from 60 countries. “At Bond University you will find a culture of teaching and learning in which traditional scholastic values are complemented by innovative programmes. Our low student/ faculty ratio provides students with personalised tuition and ensures easy access to academic staff at all levels. All staff at Bond University is selected with care, and student welfare and progress are paramount. Unlike most universities in Australia, we work three semesters in each academic year. This allows the completion of all degrees, both undergraduate and postgraduate, in minimal time, with no loss of quality in teaching or learning,” says Dr. Robert Stable, vice-chancellor of Bond. Accordingly Bond offers three 14-week semesters each year, starting in January, May and September and students can enroll in most courses in any semester. Most Bond students acquire a bachelor’s degree in just two years. Also a number of three-semester coursework Masters programmes can be completed in 12 months. Founded in 1987 by billionaire maverick business tycoon Alan Bond and given university status by the State of Queensland’s Bond University Act in 1988, the original joint venture partners, Bond Corp and EIE (International), negotiated purchase of the land, construction of the sandstone buildings, and development of the campus. Teaching on the campus began in May 1989 and currently Bond is a fully accredited member of the Australian Vice-chancellors Committee (AVCC), the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and is recognised as a degree awarding university by the Australian government. Gold Coast. Bond University is located on the Gold Coast, 70 km from Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. Situated contiguously to Lake Orr in the Burleigh Forest area, the Bond campus is less than three km inland from the spectacularly unspoilt beaches of Burleigh Heads and Miami on the Gold Coast. The richly-vegetated rainforest of the hinterland is only a further four km inland and the domestic airport at Coolangatta is a mere 20 minutes by car, while the international airport at Brisbane is an hour’s drive. With its famous surf beaches and scenic hinterland, the Gold Coast is a popular tourist destination for visitors from around the world. Inevitably it boasts a wide range of restaurants, coffee shops, shopping centres, entertainment and sporting facilities and attractions such as Sea World, Warner Brothers…