Students Sophie Parker, Sophia Azzopardi, Chloe Lawson and Connor Pritchard are loving the Bond University experience. PICTURE: Cavan Flynn
Bond University has been crowned the best in Australia for learner engagement, learning resources and skills development in a government survey of university students.
The Gold Coast university took the honours at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the 2020 Student Experience Survey.
It also offered the best overall student experience of any major Australian university, with only the theological University of Divinity ranked higher.
The “Bond difference” was remarkable in some categories. In undergraduate learner engagement, the university was 28.6 per cent above the national average.
Students lauded Bond across multiple areas of study, giving it top marks in Business, Communications, Health, Law, and Science and Mathematics, among others.
Bond University Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Tim Brailsford, said the results were achieved amidst the most difficult year for education in many years as COVID-19 upended everything.
“At Bond we take pride in putting students and their education first, and these results reflect that singlemindedness,” Professor Brailsford said.
“Throughout the pandemic Bond has demonstrated its ability to innovate and adapt, and maintain our focus on the learning and development of our students.
“We went the extra mile over the last year to support our students, and it is pleasing to know that our students appreciated our efforts.”
Professor Brailsford said Bond was one of the first universities to return to face-to-face teaching following lockdowns and there was no substitute for an on-campus education.
Satisfaction with teaching quality, learning resources, student support and skills development was around 90 per cent.
Sophia Azzopardi is studying a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of International Relations and has already secured a job in Perth ahead of her graduation later this year.
“The fast-track program was really appealing to me, especially as a law student. It lets you get into the clerkship opportunities and beat the rush,” Ms Azzopardi said.
“It was a big decision to move over from Perth but the Bond community really feels like a family to me. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Ms Azzopardi said she would be sad to leave the campus at the end of the semester.
“I’m starting a career with a commercial law firm back in Perth when I finish and I’m really looking forward to beginning that part of my life.”
Stephanie White of Melbourne is studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Psychological Science.
She was so keen to get back to her studies on the Gold Coast last year that she opted to spend two weeks in hotel isolation during border closures.
“I love (Bond), I can’t rave about it more,” Ms White said.
“It’s a great combination of providing a challenge, but also there’s so much support and help from the staff.
“I can’t fault it.”
The university has launched a number of new initiatives this year including the world’s first climate law degree for undergraduates.