Graduation is a proud moment for every student, but for Bond University graduand Marjorie Araneta tomorrow Saturday 13 February, will be particularly rewarding as she receives her degree almost three years earlier than she originally thought possible.
One of 349 students to graduate from Bond University this weekend, Marjorie was a Bond College pioneer who completed the Foundation Program as a pathway into university before studying a Bachelor of Information Technology.
“Without Bond College I would not be graduating this weekend. Their Foundation Program has helped fast track my studies by an incredible three years from what it could have taken,” Marjorie said.
“When my family moved to Australia from the Philippines in September 2007 I thought I would need to complete Year 11 and 12 again before I could study IT, then I came across the Bond College Foundation program and realised I could qualify for university in eight months instead of two years,” she said.
Completing her degree with outstanding success, Marjorie will add to an already impressive collection of academic awards receiving the John Makepeace Bennett Medal for the IT student with the highest level of academic achievement, the Australian Computer Society Award for Best Graduating Undergraduate IT Student, the Melbourne-IT Book Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Studies, inclusion on the Dean’s and Vice-Chancellor’s lists, and three First in Class prizes.
Marjorie attributes her academic success to the Bond College program structure and support offered by the teachers.
“Bond College certainly helped me prepare for uni, it provided an invaluable foundation.
“The course-work is similar to what is offered at uni so I walked in prepared, my teachers always gave me great feedback and because (Bond College) is part of the University campus I already had a feel for the place.
Another Bond College pioneer Allen Mitchell, 19, plans to use his degree in Criminology to join the Police Force.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Social Sciences Allen knows his pathway through Bond College certainly helped him prepare for University.
“I found the Foundation Program really helpful to ease me into the procedures and expectations of university,” Allen said.
“I am planning to apply for the Police Force, but first I am taking a break spending time with my family,” he said.
Bond College Director Rowan Hinton said Bond College provided a second chance for students who have the ambition to study at University.
“Bond College is an alternative pathway to university entry for students who may not have finished Year 11 and 12 or international students whose qualifications do not meet Australian university standards,” he said.
“The Foundation Program provides the skills necessary to survive and flourish in a university environment. It follows Bond’s tradition of offering small class sizes, engaging students and letting them share experiences.
“The curriculum and assessment is based on university standards. As a result students are able to apply for credit when they do successfully pathway into university.”