About JCU

Ready today for tomorrow

As Australia’s only university established to focus on the issues of Northern Australia and the Tropics worldwide, JCU is dedicated to helping the world’s tropical regions to prosper.

Campus locations

12 distinguished professorships
4,116 employees
20,308 student enrolments
Source: JCU analytics 2022

Partners and community

Find out about collaborating or partnering with JCU. We welcome enquiries from community organisations, professional corporations, governments and other agencies seeking research and commercial expertise and resources. We also undertake community sponsorships.

Engage with us

Leadership and structure

JCU Vice Chancellor and President Professor Simon Biggs seated outside the Education Central Building at the JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas

Vice Chancellor and President

Professor Simon Biggs

Professor Simon Biggs commenced his appointment as Vice Chancellor and President of James Cook University Australia in February 2022.

He is responsible for ensuring clear and effective leadership and management of the University across all operating sites, including campuses in Cairns, Townsville and Singapore.

He also advises the University Council on all policy issues and represents JCU in a range of forums.

Executive leadership

Under the guidance of the Vice Chancellor and President, the Executive is JCU’s primary management decision-making body.

It develops and implements strategies, policies and procedures to support the University’s strategic goals and operational requirements.

Members of the Executive also include the Chief of Staff, Chief Financial Officer and designated Deputy Vice Chancellors.

Close up of the roof at the Central Plaza on the JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba campus, Douglas.

University Council

The University Council is the principal governing body of the University, led by Chancellor Mr Bill Tweddell.

Its main role is to oversee the affairs of the University and ensure that the appropriate structures, policies, processes and planning are in place for JCU to effectively manage its activities and achieve its goals.

The Council is also responsible for setting and reviewing JCU's strategic direction, as outlined in the Statement of Strategic Intent.

Structure

JCU has an academic division which oversees six Colleges, and service divisions for research, education, services and resources, and functions of the Chancellery.

Organisational structure chartDivisions and colleges

Governance

JCU is a body corporate established under the James Cook University Act 1997 and governed by a University Council.

Chancellor, Council and committeesLegislation, policies and procedures

Strategic direction

Reconciliation

JCU is working towards the achievement of genuine and sustainable reconciliation between Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community.

Reconciliation at JCU

Sustainability

The TropEco program supports students and staff to maintain healthy environmental, social and economic systems in balance, indefinitely, on a local and global scale.

TropEco
5.6% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
46% mature students (over age 25)
63% female students
Source: JCU analytics 2022

This is Uni... but not as you know it

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