Home - JCU Indigenous Education and Research Centre

We empower students to be independent, critical and analytical thinkers, and assist them to plan, set and achieve their goals.

At JCU, students have access to a wealth of professional development opportunities, mentor and peer-support programs, and learning support, as well as free learning, reading, writing and maths study sessions.

Students can also take advantage of our dedicated meeting spaces and computer labs to commune and provide and receive peer support.

JCU student group outside The Science Place

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Discover pathways and options for enrolling in a course at JCU

Current Students

JCU students have free access to academic, personal and financial support services and advice

JCU Inaugural Indigenous Student Awards Night

Community

We give voice to Indigenous students, their families and communities, and celebrate our collective achievements

Research

We engage in and support innovative research that benefits Indigenous communities

Teaching and Learning

Our students gain knowledge and understanding of the importance of culture to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and other Indigenous peoples living in the Tropics

Our Staff

Meet our dynamic team of academic and teaching staff, professional staff, academic support advisors, student support officers and researchers

Site Map Download our brochure (PDF, 711 KB)

We pay our respects to our ancestors and Elders past, present and future

We acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation and the traditional custodians of the lands on which our campuses are located and where we conduct our business.

JCU is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to JCU and society.

How doctors can help close the gap

First year Medicine student Joanne Kaczmarek talks about how doctors can help close the gap in Indigenous health

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Hear from graduates and current students

Cheyenne Gamble

Cheyenne plans to graduate in 2019 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree

"I'm from Pentland, a small town on the way from Townsville to Mount Isa. I decided I wanted to become an occupational therapist when I was in Year 10. I had known that I wanted to be in the health industry since I was 12, when my first nephew was born and diagnosed with several health problems. I decided I wanted to be able to help him and others live a little easier, so they can have the same opportunities.

Studying [at JCU] has opened up so many opportunities for me to join associations that I never would have if I wasn't at JCU. I have made friends and gained connections all over Australia.

I have an Indigenous background and I gained a lot of support and encouragement to keep pushing through my course when other things pulled me down. I'm most proud of the 'small wins' I've achieved while studying and doing my practicals."

Find out more about the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree

Michale Chandler

Michelle graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree

"I'm an Aboriginal and Australian South Sea Islander woman from Juru country in the Birri Gubba nation of Bowen. I really enjoyed my placements while studying, some of which were really interesting, like the Acute Neurology Rehabilitation Ward at The Townsville Hospital, and the Surgical Ward at the Cairns Base Hospital.

I have been employed as a full-time school based physiotherapist with the Department of Education in Townsville. I will be working with a team of therapist visiting local schools and helping students from 5-17 years of age. Eventually, I would like to start my own practice in my hometown of Bowen."

Find out more about the JCU Bachelor of Physiotherapy Degree