Bond University launches Australia-first Transformer program

Bond University has just launched an Australia-first co-curricular program aimed at instilling big-picture thinking in students across all faculties, after making a $2.5-million investment in the new offering, including a dedicated co-working space.

More than 90 students have already enrolled in the new Transformer program, the launch of which coincides with the university’s 28th anniversary. It is available year-round at no cost to students, and designed to develop creativity, encourage exploration, enable innovation and enhance the Gold Coast university’s trademark entrepreneurial experience, for which it’s been renowned for almost three decades.
The Transformer is being offered to all students and can be completed at their own pace in three distinct consecutive phases over the course of their undergraduate or postgraduate degree:

1. Inspiration – where students will identify and define their concept, researching the core issues and existing solutions with a key emphasis on understanding potential users
2. Exploration – where students will generate and trial a range of possible solutions to develop a practical methodology based on real-life feedback
3. Transformation – where students will develop a detailed plan for implementation and secure the required resources

The program is being overseen by an independent Advisory Circle of industry heavyweights, including Queensland Chief Entrepreneur and Blue Sky Alternative Investments founder Mark Sowerby, Virgin Australia director David Baxby, ECP Asset Management co-founder and portfolio manager Jared Pohl and GoldBean founder and chief executive Jane Barratt. Mr Baxby, Mr Pohl and Ms Barratt are all alumni of Bond University.
Participation in the Transformer will earn students credit towards Bond University‘s mandatory Beyond Bond extracurricular program, which ensures all students graduate with on-the-job experience and skills. Through the program students will benefit from academic coaching, a regular “expert insights” Q&A series with leading industry figures and one-on-one mentoring, particularly from high-profile Bond University alumni.
The innovative space will provide a dedicated place for students of all disciplines to come together and access academics, industry experts, mentors, workshops, events and other resources.

Bond Business School Executive Dean Professor Terry O’Neill said Transformer would help students to identify problems and drive change.
“In today’s fast-paced business world, graduates need to have the skills to step into any job and hit the ground running, including positions that might not yet exist,” he said. “Students from different faculties will bring completely different problems or ideas to the table and will have their own unique approach to solving them.
“By putting them in the same room, we create opportunities where a student from health sciences, for example, might identify an issue in their industry that can be solved with the unique insight of someone from business or law.”

Transformer Hub

Bond University has created a new cutting-edge co-working space, situated in the Bond Business School, which will be the home of the Transformer. Opened in May 2017, Bond Business School’s new state-of-the-art facilities incorporate a dynamic co-working space, dedicated to the Transformer program. Designed around the concept of “accelerated serendipity,” it features a series of zones where chance encounters transform into productive discussions, brainstorming sessions and planning meetings.
Offering 24/7 access for Transformer students from all over the university, it provides the ideal setting to meet, interact and collaborate with academics, industry mentors, team members and like-minded classmates who can help you take your project to the next level.
*

Find out more about studying at Bond University!