James Cook University is Australia's leading tropical research university and takes its name from the 18th century British navigator and explorer James Cook. Cook's epic voyages in the southern hemisphere contributed significantly to the world of science.
The University was proclaimed in Townsville on 20 April 1970, and has grown into a multi-campus university with its main sites located in the vibrant northern Queensland cities of Townsville and Cairns. Smaller study and research centres are located in Mackay, Mount Isa, Orpheus Island, Paluma, and "Fletcherview" near Charters Towers. Some JCU courses are delivered in partnership with ITTI (Information Technology Training Institute) in Sydney and Holmes Colleges in Sydney and Melbourne. JCU Brisbane has been established with the Sarina Russo Group. Visit JCU locations.
JCU Singapore was founded in 2003, giving the university an important presence in Asia. Offshore partnerships include SEG International Bhd in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Guangzhou University and Beijing University of Technology (China) and a nursing training program in Fiji.
JCU is a high-ranking research university with a strong focus on matters relating to the tropics. It enjoys an international profile, maintained and promoted through linkages with universities and research institutions worldwide. In 2005, JCU became the foundation Australian member of a new global alliance of marine focused institutions. Bremen University (Germany), Ocean University of China, Pukyong National University (Korea), Tokyo University of Marine Sciences and Technology (Japan), University of Southampton (UK) and the University of Western Brittany (France) joined JCU to establish the International Association of Marine-Related Institutions (IAMRI) to promote global collaboration in education and research in marine sciences.
Discover more about JCU:
- Tropical North Queensland a natural place to study
- Teaching tomorrow's leaders
- Achievement and growth
- Leading research
- Ventures and partnership with industry
- Schools of excellence
- Reaching out
- Economic impact on community
- JCU locations
- Our students
Tropical Northern Queensland – a natural place for study
- JCU's main campuses are located in tropical northern Queensland, a remarkable region where over a million visitors come each year to experience two World Heritage listed natural wonders: the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the rainforests of the Wet Tropics. The region also provides the gateway to the scenic Atherton Tablelands and the historic Queensland outback.
- Townsville and Cairns are thriving coastal cities each with populations of more than 120,000.
- JCU is renowned for providing quality courses, friendly campuses and a supportive, student-centred learning environment.
Teaching tomorrow's leaders
- More than 180 undergraduate and 140 postgraduate courses are offered at JCU, spanning the Arts, Business, the Creative Arts, Education, Engineering, Information Technology, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Science and Veterinary Science.
- JCU is the primary provider of degree-level trained personnel for northern Queensland.
- JCU provides its graduates with the qualifications and skills for entry into the global workforce. All degree programs emphasise the skills of critical thinking and problem solving, effective communication and familiarity with information technologies.
- JCU works with industry and the professions to ensure courses relate to employer needs. Work placement schemes feature in many degree programs, equipping graduates with valuable practical skills.
Achievement and growth
- JCU enjoys outstanding successes in teaching, research and industry collaborations.
- It is a world-leading centre for tropical marine science research and enjoys a unique partnership with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). In 2005, The Australian Research Council funded $12 million towards the establishment of the Centre of Excellence - Innovative Science for Sustainable Management of Coral Reef Biodiversity at JCU Townsville.
- JCU Cairns is a leading centre for rainforest research with the Australian Tropical Forest Institute offering exciting biotechnology opportunities for the region.
- Both areas of expertise will be further advanced with the Australian Government's $40 million funding for The Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility, to be based at JCU's two major campuses.
- The JCU School of Medicine was the first new medical school in 25 years when it began in 2000. It has a special focus on the needs of rural, remote and Indigenous communities, making it a model for similar initiatives in North America.
- In 2006, significant new programs include undergraduate degrees in Veterinary Science and Tropical Agriculture – see new courses.
- As word of JCU's reputation spreads, international student enrolments continue to grow. More than 2000 international students from 98 countries studied with JCU in 2004.
Leading Research
- JCU received almost $20 million in research funding in 2004. Our world class facilities include over 20 specialised research centres and institutes, plus island, rainforest and outback research stations.
- National collaborative research centres (CRCs) bring together Australian
and international researchers, industry representatives and cutting
edge facilities. JCU is an active partner in the following CRCs:
- Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emergency Infectious Disease
- Bushfire CRC
- Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management
- Desert Knowledge
- Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
- Predictive Mineral Discovery
- Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology
- Sustainable Tourism
- Aquafin CRC
- Tropical Savannas Management
Ventures and partnerships with industry
- JCU shares its expertise with local industry and the community.
- JCU's partnership in the CRC for Predictive Mineral Discovery boosts geological research activities in northern and remote Australia.
- Advanced Analytical Centres on the Townsville and Cairns campuses provide state-of-the-art analysis facilities for mineral industries and the life sciences.
- JCU's Cyclone Structural Testing Station has received national awards for its contribution to local building practices and standards.
- JCU Sugar Advanced Technology Unit works with the region's sugar industry to add value to sugar processing.
- JCU Uninet stinger resistant marine enclosures are used on many northern Queensland beaches.
- JCU's Centre for Native Title Studies, the first of its kind in Australia, brings together stakeholders in the native title recognition process and examines land, sea and resource management issues.
- The Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research promotes water research, technology and information transfer to industry.
Schools of excellence
- Teaching and research is divided between four faculties, which together
oversee the following schools:
- Anthropology, Archaeology and Sociology
- Business
- Earth Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Humanities
- Indigenous Australian Studies
- Information Technology
- Law
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture
- Mathematical and Physical Sciences
- Medicine
- Nursing Sciences
- Pharmacy and Molecular Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences
- Social Work and Community Welfare
- Tropical Biology
- Tropical Environmental Studies and Geography
- Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
- College of Music, Visual Arts and Theatre
Reaching out
- JCU's students, academics and general staff contribute enthusiastically to the educational, social, sporting, intellectual and artistic life of northern Queensland.
- JCU education, medicine, nursing, rehabilitation science, psychology, community welfare and social work students serve in schools and organisations throughout the region as part of their degree requirements.
- Public lectures, concerts, art exhibitions and other events take place year round on the Townsville and Cairns campuses.
- The School of Indigenous Australian Studies conducts courses and research on Indigenous Australian studies and provides support for Indigenous students at JCU. Its Linking Indigenousness field program creates a partnership between JCU and local Indigenous communities that enables students from many disciplines to experience Indigenous Australian communities and their culture.
- JCU MetSat provides daily satellite weather images online, attracting over 30,000 hits per week.
- JCU is a major sponsor of the annual Australian Festival of Chamber Music held in Townsville each July.
- Campus sporting facilities are put to good use by local schools and community sports associations.
Economic impact on the community
Figures from 2004 Annual Report
- In any year, JCU employs more than 4,000 people (casual, temporary and permanent), with a full-time staff equivalent in 2004 of 1,361 (comprising: Academic - 476; Research - 132; Technical - 96; General - 657).
- Employee benefits and oncosts totalled: $113.6 million.
- Capital expenditure: $25.6 million.
- Repairs and Maintenance: $6.6 million
- Plus the expenditure on goods, services and utilities from more than 14,000 students in the region.