Introduction

Postgraduate research and research training are vital components of JCU's profile as a research intensive university. Students undertaking research masters and doctoral degrees perform a significant amount of the University's research and produce many important research outputs. Research students constitute about 5% of the total student load, the 14th highest nationally. International research students are particularly important, comprising 23% of our total research student load, the 4th highest nationally. At last count our International research students came from more than 50 countries.

In recognition of the importance of research students to the university, the James Cook University Graduate Research School was established in 2002 with the aims of:

• increasing the profile of research training at JCU with prospective students, employers and the public,

• enhancing quality of research training through policy development, performance monitoring, targeted skills development and effective program administration

• providing an enhanced service to research students and their supervisors

• acting as focal point of contact for all members of the university community who are involved with research training.

The Graduate Research School's Mission is to produce:

Internationally competitive graduates who achieve their employment goals in industry, academia and research institutions.

In order to achieve this goal, the Graduate Research School and its associated committees administer:

• all research masters, PhD and research professional doctorate programs offered by JCU

• scholarships for research students

• a structured program for all research students

• induction sessions for research students in Townsville and Cairns

• a generic skills program of workshops and seminars in Townsville and Cairns

• a statistical support service

• annual surveys of all research students, and

• supervisor training.

This is achieved through the Research Training Strategic Plan, which defines the work program of the Board of Graduate Research Studies.