Bond University today launched Stage 2 of its Health Sciences & Medicine (HSM) building featuring state-of-the-art learning and teaching zones, additional facilities for researchers and expanded space to accommodate staff working on pioneering new health and medical programs.
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Professor Nick Zwar said the building would further enhance Bond’s renowned student experience by providing an outstanding collaborative learning environment.
“These new spaces will provide more and better opportunities for students and staff from across all HSM programs, and across the university, to connect and collaborate on interdisciplinary activities,” Professor Zwar said.
“Our researchers, including the internationally respected Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice (CREBP) and our research students, will benefit from an exceptional environment and improved facilities.”
The building will also provide more space to accommodate staff working on innovative new programs such as the Master of Healthcare Innovations - a program that recognises the many challenges of healthcare provision and delivery in the 21st century and equips healthcare leaders of the future with the broad range of skills required to meet these challenges.
“This Masters is an example of the forward thinking that will characterise work in the new building and Bond generally,” Professor Zwar said.
“In addition to providing a new home for the executive team, the building will be a place to bring partners and stakeholders from the health services, from government and non-government organisations and from the private sector.”
“These spaces will also attract staff and students from other faculties who will no doubt want to check their pulse at the new café and enjoy the aesthetics of the foyer and atrium”
Bond University Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Tim Brailsford said the current and future planned growth of the faculty was the driving force behind the Stage 2 expansion of the HSM building.
“While Health was not a founding discipline of the University thirty years ago when it was established, it has rapidly caught up to become one of the four pillars of Bond,” Professor Brailsford said.
“Bond’s advanced health professional education programs in medicine, physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy and sports science are all highly regarded, with a reputation for an exceptional student experience.
“The design of the building is purposefully collaborative to encourage team-based learning and academic advances.
“A high-quality faculty needs high-quality infrastructure and support and this new facility is ambitious, impressive and fitting as a home for world-class health and medical education and research.”
“This building is one of two major projects that ADCO will deliver for us this year, the other being the new aquatic centre, and that will open on the 20th of June,” Professor Brailsford said.
“What distinguishes ADCO is not just their ability to consistently make a promise and deliver, but it's their attention to detail and their understanding and care required when working in a live environment.
“They take pride in their work and when you move inside the building you'll see that every care has been taken to attend to every detail - the quality of the finish is absolutely superb.”
The Stage 2 expansion of the Health Sciences & Medicine building was officially opened at a ceremony on Monday 13 May at Bond University, featuring guest speaker Emeritus Professor Peter Andrews AO, who was Queensland’s first Chief Scientist and Bond University’s Foundation Dean of Science and Technology.
Classically-trained opera singer and inaugural recipient of Bond University's Indigenous Medical Scholarship, Ms Myora Kruger, opened the ceremony by performing the national anthem in Yugambeh language. Guests were also treated to a guided tour of the new facility.
The opening of the new building kicked-off a week-long program of events to celebrate Bond’s 30th Anniversary and commemorate three decades of innovation and entrepreneurship.