A new Southern Gold Coast mobile app has been developed for Connecting Southern Gold Coast (CSGC) by Bond University Journalism students.
The first app of its kind for the city, the project was completed by the students in December and is now available to the public to download for iPhone and Android.
Connecting Southern Gold Coast CEO, Peter Doggett, said it was a great collaboration between Bond University and the southern most entity of the city.
“With several months of planning, it was certainly a significant undertaking for both our organisations, but it’s wonderful to now see this project brought to life for the benefit of visitors to our region,” said Mr Doggett.
“The journalism students have done a fantastic job under the watchful eye of Senior Teaching Fellow, Rob Layton, to deliver a very professional result for the Southern Gold Coast.”
The App provides users with a mobile guide to the Southern Gold Coast region, from its iconic beaches and hinterland, to the coffee culture, events and history.
CSGC were initially approached 12 months ago by Mr Layton as an avenue for Bond University’s Digital Publishing and Design students to engage with a real world client in order to provide a tangible outcome that would benefit the wider community.
Mr Layton said it was important to incorporate app development into journalism degrees to equip students with the skills and training necessary for future careers in digital publishing.
"The development of this smartphone app is part of a broader strategy that not only enhances Bond Journalism's reputation for innovation and leadership, but equips our graduates with the practical and meaningful skills necessary for success in digital communications," he said.
"We know that the craft of journalism hasn't changed substantially - we still need to tell stories accurately and efficiently - but we are aware that the way in which we tell those stories has.
"New platforms, alternative channels, and emerging technologies means we are better equipped to tell stories now than we have ever been. Never has there been a better time to be a journalist."
The Southern Gold Coast app is free to download in the Apple Store for iPhone or via Google Play for Android devices.