Director-General of the Department of Education, Training and the Arts Mrs Rachel Hunter officially opened Bond College at Bond University today.
Bond College was established by Bond University in May this year to provide students with the choice of an alternative pathway to enter university by studying a Year 12 equivalent program.
It will also allow people who do not have a university entrance score, such as an OP score, or who are not direct school leavers, another opportunity to gain entry to university through a uniquely tailored ‘Foundation Program’.
Open to both domestic and international students, the college will offer a limited number of places in its Foundation Program each semester (January, May and September). The inaugural intake was welcomed in May this year.
Announcing the opening of Bond College, Mrs Hunter said she strongly supported the ideas behind the College.
“I am pleased to see this College established to give these students a solid academic foundation for tertiary studies and life-long learning,” Mrs Hunter said.
“The establishment of this college is particularly timely, given the introduction of the State Government’s Education and Training Reforms for the Future, which aim to give greater flexibility to young people in their senior phase of learning.
“We want education and training pathways to suit every young person, whether through a traditional school program, TAFE, vocational training, apprenticeship or traineeship … or a flexible university-based program like this,” she said.
“Bond has developed a well-deserved reputation for innovation and flexibility and has adapted its courses to meet the challenges of the workplace and emerging professions.
“Today, the opening of this new college represents another innovative milestone in the University’s development and in its history,” Mrs Hunter said.
Director of Bond College Mr Rowan Hinton said the Foundation Program had been designed in extensive consultation with academic staff and would provide “an excellent foundation for tertiary study”.
The program will initially offer pathways to Bond University’s Faculties of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Business, Technology and Sustainable Development, with a Health Sciences and Medicine pathway set to be introduced in 2008.
Mr Hinton added that the program may also appeal to year 12 students for whom a high school environment isn’t ideal.
“As well as catering to those students who perhaps need a second chance, we are also providing an alternative for those who are looking to step away from a high school environment.
“With its location on Bond University’s campus, Bond College will offer a completely new environment in which to learn. With all of the university’s facilities at their fingertips, participants in the Foundation Program will be given every opportunity to achieve.
”Bond College will also set a high standard for English-language entry. Unlike many foundation courses, it will seek a strong Australian student enrolment and will require preliminary English training for international students,” he said.
Australian students will be eligible to apply for Fee-Help in order to assist with fees for the program, and may also be able to access Youth Allowance.