Indigenous tourism is set to receive a boost with a number of full scholarships on offer from Bond University.
Australia’s leading private, not-for-profit university has partnered with the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC), the InterContinental Hotels Group and Accor to provide these prestigious scholarships to indigenous Australians.
The scholarships will be offered to indigenous students wishing to study a Bachelor of Tourism Management or a Bachelor of International Hotel and Resort Management.
Bond University Head of School of Hotel, Resort and Tourism Management Professor Elizabeth Roberts said partnering with these organisations was a long-term vision for the future of the tourism industry.
“These scholarships will not only change the lives of these students, but the communities they will return to. Indigenous tourism is a growth industry that needs resources, including qualified operators, behind it if it is to flourish,” said Professor Roberts.
“These scholarships will provide the students with an understanding and appreciation for the tourism industry, financial acumen and asset management to operate a successful tourism business, and leadership skills to motivate and lead a team.
“We found there was a skills-gap in tertiary education that hotel, resort and tourism management students were not being taught these vital asset management skills. Many other programs focus on the vocational skills required to operate front of house, or perform a specific duty. We developed our curriculum to prepare our students for the ‘top’ jobs,” she said.
Bond University is Australia’s first private, not-for-profit university based on the Gold Coast in Queensland. The University offers a personalised academic environment that provides students an exclusive educational experience of the highest international standards.
Applications are invited from indigenous students who have completed Year 12 or who have appropriate industry experience.
For more information see Scholarships. Applications close December 9, 2011.