February 08 News Bond University

CollegeDownUnder is now CampusDownUnder

FEBRUARY 2008

Newsworthy & Interesting

I am pleased to be able to share some of the activities and achievements of Bond University students, faculty and alum with you in the newsletter below. To those about to graduate in the February ceremony - Congratulations, and thank you for all of your kinds words.

Applications are now open for September 08, January May and September 09 intakes, as Bond has a rolling admissions system, and there is no application fee.

As a further step, Bond University has joined EcoBiz which is the Environmental Protection Agency's signature partnership program with Queensland business and industry. They will assist to identify efficiencies in waste, water and energy for financial and environmental benefits.

The University has also joined the Greenhouse Friendly program which is a precursor to the proposed Emissions Trading Scheme, a National program administered by the Australian Greenhouse Office. Utilising the Greenhouse Friendly program will enable us to measure our carbon dioxide emissions.

Planned detailed assessments on waste, recycling and energy consumption will enable us to develop comprehensive business efficiency and sustainable practices to further progress our commitment to environmental sustainability.

graduate's film kill buljo hits the big time!

A low budget feature film written, produced and directed by Bond University Film and Television graduates, has become an unlikely international success. Kill Buljo, a parody of Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, is the brainchild of Bond University Film and Television alumnus Tommy Wirkola who co-wrote and co-produced the film in Norway.

The privately funded, $250,000 feature film has had its distribution rights for the USA, UK and Australia picked up by independent American film studio The Weinstein Co, whose releases also include Hollywood hits Miss Potter, Hannibal Rising and Transamerica.

Kill Buljo has now sold to more than 20 countries including Japan, Poland, Turkey, Germany, Thailand, the Benelux countries, France, Brazil, Israel, Romania, South Africa, Russia, the Baltic states, Spain, Bulgaria and Portugal.

"It is almost surreal to imagine that the film will be seen all over the world, when I think of how small it was, and how we started," Tommy said. "I'm really looking forward to seeing it dubbed into Japanese and Russian. And the fact that the Weinsteins bought it for the English-speaking territories is great, because that means that Quentin Tarantino will get a chance to see it," he said.

Bond Film and Television student Liv Ask, who worked as production designer on the film, said it felt very surreal to have their ‘little film’ picked up. Liv was one of eight Bond students (former and current) who worked on the film in Norway from April – July last year. The group first met at Bond University where they worked together on short-films Hansel and Gretel Witch-Hunters and Stealing Candy during their studies at the University’s Centre for Film, Television and Screen Based Media.

"Tommy was the year ahead of me at uni but we had worked on a few projects together and stayed in touch after he graduated. "Early last year he asked me if I wanted to come and work as production designer on this feature called Kill Buljo that he’d been working on a script for. "It was a great opportunity to broaden my work experience so I decided to defer my studies at Bond for a year and went to Norway for two-and-a-half months for the filming."

Liv joined the cast and crew, including eight other ‘Bondies’, in the small community of Alta, in northern Norway, where they stayed together in dorms. "The people were so supportive and friendly, giving us a lot of stuff for the set, lending us their vehicles for transport and the locations we filmed at were mostly free," she said. "It was the first full feature film for most of us, so it was tough, crazy, and a lot of fun.

"If something didn’t work, we made it work. It wasn’t a typical nine-to-five job. In Norway, the sun is up for 22 hours a day, so a lot of the time we were working without knowing whether it was morning or afternoon. "There was a lot of improvisation. We were on a really tight schedule so we learnt to work fast and make quick decisions," Liv said.

The hard work paid off, with Kill Buljo doing remarkably well at the box office, attracting over 100,000 moviegoers and now, the attention of the world. Off the back of their success, the group is reconvening in Norway in March next year to start work on their next feature – an ‘action/ horror/ comedy’ about Nazi zombies.

Sometimes an original idea and a love of movie-making can triumph in the face of the big bucks and prestige of Hollywood.

BOND STUDENTS TEST FURY, A NEW COMPUTER GAME

Bond University Bachelor of Multimedia and Bachelor of Computer Games students have taken their first steps toward working in the digital media industries with two important industry linkages - taking part in quality testing a new Auran studios game called Fury, and visiting another digital media company.

On November 30, 11 students visited THQ studios in Brisbane under the guidance of Asst. Prof. Scott Knight to participate in a variety of presentations and discussions about working in the games industry. THQ is one of the world’s largest game development studios and the Brisbane studio is home to more than 80 full-time employees.

One student commented, “It was one of those life-changing experiences and this sort of thing is the reason I came to Bond.” Head of School Dr Jeff Brand said: “One of the strengths of the Bond is our connection with industry and government. Our interest in educating and training students for work in producing and publishing in the digital media sector is clear.”

In December the School of Communication and Media entered a quality-testing and feedback program with Auran studios, also in Brisbane. Auran, a Queensland company which began operating 1995, released Fury, its much anticipated multiplayer online game, earlier this year and is releasing the first major update this month. Nearly 20 Bond students have received free copies of the $90 retail version of Fury and an opportunity to comment on the first and second editions as part of a quality-testing program. “This is a demonstrable ‘foot-in-the-door’ for our students,” said Dr Brand.

NICK JONSSON LEADS VIETNAM HELMET PARADE

Bond Public Relations Masters graduate Nick Jonsson (class of 2004, who took out the PRIA award for best student project with his Make-a-Wish charity golf day, raising $18,500) has left London public relations and is now area sales manager for Oriflame Cosmetics in Vietnam.

Helmet-wearing has just become compulsory there for all bike riders and Oriflame is one of the companies sponsoring the campaign to promote helmet-wearing as a way of saving lives and avoiding head injuries. "I'm having great fun here," he said in an email to his former lecturer, Humanities News editor Dr Richard Phillipps. "It's days like today that make me realise I have the best job in the world!" More pictures are on his Facebook site.

Nick says the public relations and event management education at Bond and later work in this field is proving very valuable in his new job. Oriflame sells its natural cosmetics from plant extracts direct to the public. His wife Sofi Jonsson has joined him from London; she is working in Ho Chi Minh City for Price Waterhouse Coopers.

MBA STUDENTS CLAIM NATIONAL BUSINESS PLANNING COMPETITION

Australia’s premier business planning competition, the John Heine Entrepreneurial Challenge (JHEC) is a forum for MBA students to experience the real venture capital raising process as they launch and manage their own businesses. The Bond University team presented the business plan for Amiellen Pty Ltd: a wholesale and distribution company selling a range of non-irritant, antibacterial, hand sanitising products through a network of proprietary vending machines. Their core strategy is to place the product for sale at the point of use, including public restrooms and eating facilities. The company’s first product, Cleanspray, (www.cleanspray.com.au) is an atomised low-alcohol sanitiser, providing a convenient sanitisation solution in public places.

Academic Advisor to the team, Mr Baden U’Ren from Bond University’s School of Business, said that the judges complimented the team on their professionalism and expertise. "They were particularly impressed with the enthusiasm and thirst for learning the team showed during questioning and feedback sessions. "This is further reinforcement that Bond University's personalised approach to learning and real world application is enhancing its students' educational outcomes," he said.

"Along with the Amiellen business model, the students themselves are exceptional and will represent Bond University and Australia with energy, enthusiasm and expertise," Mr U’ren said. Managing Director of Amiellen Pty Ltd and Executive MBA student, Mr Richard Brimblecombe, said it was ‘truly an honour’ to win the JHEC as part of the Bond University team. "Out of all the MBA students in Australia this year, I have to be getting the best value out of my MBA!" he said.

"I contemplated completing an MBA program for over ten years. When I finally made the commitment I chose Bond over some other prestigious business schools because I was impressed with its personalised approach and commitment to quality demonstrated by the Executive MBA leadership group. "I've found the MBA program to date thoroughly rewarding and challenging. I only wish I would have committed to the Bond EMBA earlier - who knows how much more I could have achieved over the past 10 years!

As Overall Winners of the John Heine Entrepreneurial Challenge the team received $10,000 in seed funding to assist in developing the business, $3,000 in legal services from McCullough Robertson Lawyers, plus $15,000 in airfares and accommodation to attend the Texas finals. The Global Moot Corp Challenge is held annually at the University of Texas, USA, and attracts entries from 30 of the world's best business schools. It is touted as the "The Super Bowl of World Business-Planning Competitions", and offers a $100,000 USD prize package - the largest guaranteed prize of any student contest in the world. This won’t be the first time Bond University will represent Australia in the prestigious contest. The University has a reputation as the most consistent performer in the international challenge, having previously championed over the likes of the Harvard, Stanford and UCLA to be record three-time Global Champions.

NATIONAL BODY CONFERS STATE-FIRST ACCREDITATION TO BOND

The Australian Property Institute (API) has given its stamp of approval for the first ‘API accredited’ Asset and Facilities Management course in the State

Bond University’s Bachelor of Property and Sustainable Development has become the first course in Queensland to be professionally recognised by the API in the Asset and Facilities Management area. Bond was also successful in seeking accreditation for its undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Property Valuation, Asset and Facilities Management and Urban Development and Sustainability, making it the only university on the Gold Coast to offer programs with full API accreditation.

The accreditation marks official recognition that the programs offered by the Bond University Mirvac School of Sustainable Development are aligned with the educational requirements for professional membership with the API.

Head of School Professor George Earl (pictured) said the accreditation would be of ‘immense benefit’ to graduates of the School. "There is a growing demand for asset and facilities management professionals in Australia and, as graduates of the only professionally recognised course in Queensland, our students will be highly sought after to fill these positions," he said. Professor Earl said the role of an Asset and Facilities Manager is to ensure an organisation’s facilities enable effective operation, better business performance, higher levels of worker satisfaction and productivity, and environmental sustainability. The School’s Property Valuation students have also seen the value of their degree skyrocket as a result of the accreditation announcement.

The API’s endorsement means they will now be eligible to apply for registration as Certified Practising Valuers upon graduating, (conditional on meeting professional practice requirements). "Given the current shortage of qualified people in the property valuation field, this accreditation will provide our graduates with excellent career options," Professor Earl said. The Bond University Mirvac School of Sustainable Development embeds sustainable development teachings across all programs, instilling graduates with the ambition to create buildings, towns and, most importantly, communities that will serve as a lasting legacy for future generations.

PHYSICAL BARRIERS MAY BE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN DRUGS IN PREVENTING PANDEMICS

The findings of the study, published on the British Medical Journal’s website www.bmj.com, suggest that these simple, low cost physical measures should be given higher priority than antiviral medicines in preparation for a national pandemic. The world is increasingly concerned about global pandemic viral infections such as avian influenza and SARS, writes Bond University’s Professor Chris Del Mar and colleagues Tom Jefferson and Alessandro Rivetti from the Cochrane Vaccines Field, Italy.

Mounting evidence suggests that the use of vaccines and antiviral drugs will be insufficient to interrupt the spread of influenza. Nor are there any agent-specific drugs for other viruses. Yet, despite clear evidence of a link between personal and environmental hygiene and infections, there have been no comprehensive reviews of this evidence.

So, Professor Del Mar and his team of researchers, including two Bond University medical students, Adi Prabhala and Bill Hewak, reviewed 51 published studies on the effect of simple physical means of preventing respiratory infections. They included any intervention to prevent viral animal-to-human or human-to-human transmission of respiratory viruses (isolation, quarantine, social distancing, barriers, personal protection and hygiene) compared with do-nothing or with another intervention. They excluded vaccines and antiviral drugs.

Differences in study design and quality were taken into account to minimise bias. They found that handwashing and wearing masks, gloves and gowns were effective individually in preventing the spread of respiratory viruses, and were even more effective when combined (only three patients would need to be treated in this way to prevent one case of respiratory disease). In fact, say the authors, combining these measures may be more effective than prescribing antiviral drugs or scrambling for vaccines in the event of a pandemic. However, the effect of adding antiseptics to normal handwashing to reduce respiratory disease remains uncertain.

Only a handful of studies evaluated the effect of highly resource-intensive measures such as screening at entry ports and social distancing, so do not allow us to reach any firm conclusions, they add. However, a recent analysis of historical and archival US data from the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic suggests an effect of social distancing measures such as school closures and public gathering bans. Despite the study limitations, this systematic review of available research does provide some important insights, they write. For example, simple public health measures appear to be highly effective, especially when they are part of a structured programme including education, and when they are delivered together.

There is therefore a clear mandate to carry out further large trials to evaluate the best combinations. In the meantime, they recommend implementing a combination of frequent handwashing (with or without antiseptics); barrier measures (such as gloves, gowns and masks); and isolation of cases on suspicion of diagnosis to diminish transmission of viral respiratory disease. These simple, low cost physical measures should be better evaluated, and given higher priority in national pandemic preparation, they conclude.

Because pandemic flu is such a potentially catastrophic event, governments worldwide should have commissioned such a study many years ago, says an accompanying editorial. Governments should continue to fund research to confirm these findings and to investigate other areas of uncertainty that it identifies in the management of people with suspected influenza.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOLADES

Bond University Alumnus and Olympic Distance Triathlete Courtney Atkinson (pictured) has been selected in the nominations for the 2008 Beijing Australian Olympic Games Team. Courtney said; "All the hard work this year focusing on preparing specifically for Beijing selection has paid off!" Courtney attended Bond University in 1998 – 1999 on a Sporting Scholarship and managed to juggle his gruelling training commitments with his study to complete his Bachelor of Commerce in just two years.

2007 Bond University Sports Star of the Year Annabelle Williams was named as a finalist for "Most Outstanding Athlete of the Year" at the Australian University Sport Awards. This year Annabelle won two gold and two silver medals while also breaking five world records in her EAD (Elite Athletes with a Disability) class at the 2007 Telstra Short Course Championships.

Management Tutor Adrian Gepp and Postgraduate Research Student James Larkin, both from the Faculty of Business, Technology and Sustainable Development, have won Gold at International Beach Frisbee Championships held at Maceio in Brazil on Sunday. Adrian and James defeated a team from the Philippines in an international field of 27 teams from 14 countries.

Dr Mridula Sahay, Assistant Professor, Institute of Public Enterprises, Hyderabad, India has been awarded 2008 Endeavour Research Fellowship (valued at $25000 AUD) to undertake Post Doctoral research work with Associate Professor Kuldeep Kumar of Bond University. This will mark the first time Bond University has hosted the recipient of the very prestigious Endeavour Fellowship, which is offered by the Department of Education, Science and Training. Dr Sahay’s research interests are in the areas of corporate governance, including bankruptcy prediction, and Entrepreneurship. She will visit Bond University for a period of 4-6 months in 2008

VISITORS TO CAMPUS

Jan-Egbert Sturm KOF Swiss Economic Institute, ETH Zurich, Switzerland and CESifo, Munich, Germany spoke to staff at the Faculty of Business, Technology and Sustainable Development, where in conjunction with Professor Barry Williams presented a paper on “Characteristics Determining the Efficiency of Foreign Banks in Australia”