While most new university students around the country are heading into their first week this week, Bond University is in full assignment mode as they enter week eight of the first semester.
Eight of these students powering through their first semester of University are recipients of Bond University’s Indigenous Pathways Scholarships and according to Catherine O’Sullivan, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Pathways and Partnerships) at Bond University, all are settling in well.
“We now have a total of 48 Indigenous students studying at Bond, with 18 on scholarships, pushing us towards our goal of becoming the country’s leading University for Indigenous students,” Catherine said.
“Our new scholarship students, including three from the Gold Coast, have hit the ground running and are settling well into University life.
“Bond has a number of programs in place to assist make the transition to University as easy and seamless as possible for our Indigenous students and ensure they make it through to graduation with the support they need.”
The Nyombile Centre, opened in September 2012, provides academic and cultural support assisting Indigenous students with the challenges faced when moving from remote communities and undertaking University life. Academically the Centre supports with the transition into the higher education environment and culturally it assists with connecting students with the local Indigenous community.
In addition, Bond University’s Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) provides a six-year Mentoring Program for Indigenous Australians currently in high school, partnering them with University student volunteers, aiming to improve completion rates across years 10 and 12 and lifting tertiary admissions for participants.
Funding for Bond University’s Indigenous Pathways Program and scholarships is raised in the community through local and corporate sponsors and at an annual gala dinner, which took place late last year.
Robina Group is proud to contribute to the program, which encourages young Indigenous Australians to enter and complete tertiary education.
