IERC Our Centre

Our Centre

The JCU Indigenous Education and Research Centre is a leader in providing Indigenous education research and engagement through successful and sustainable programs and services.

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.

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.

Download the IERC brochure for more information.

IERC Centre

Designated common and meeting spaces are available for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to commune and provide and receive peer support. Bookings are not necessary.

Cairns Campus - Building A21, open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

Townsville Campus - Building 301, open Monday to Friday 8am-5pm.

  • Kitchen facilities including microwave, toaster and fridge are available for students to use. The Centre provides tea, coffee and healthy snacks for students.

All JCU students can use any of the General Access and Teaching Computer Facilities (GATCF) – commonly referred to as computer labs – located on the Townsville, Cairns and Mackay campuses. There are 23 computer labs across all three campuses, including in the libraries in Townsville and Cairns. Students can access more than 700 desktop PCs and Macs. Students must use their JCU computer account username and password to login.

JCU's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Services offers a comprehensive guide to general access computer labs, including locations and real-time availability, current operating systems and software, operating guides, and fault reporting.

In Townsville and Cairns, the Indigenous Education and Research Centres contain fully air-conditioned student computer labs with computers, a printer and a photocopier. The Centres are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to Indigenous Students.  ID swipe card access is required outside of normal business hours, enquire in person or email ierc@jcu.edu.au.

Reconciliation is an honest and critical understanding of Australia's shared history, and how it has informed the lives of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians today. JCU's commitment to reconciliation is addressed in its Statement of Strategic Intent.

The JCU Reconciliation Action Plan aims to strengthen our commitment to enhance the lives of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through education and research.

The Indigenous Centre has a University-wide remit to deliver key elements of the University’s Statement of Strategic Intent to embrace diversity and bring about enduring benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Find out more about Our Mission, Our Goal, Our Enabling Framework, and Our Plan in the Indigenous Centre Operational Plan 2017-2019 (PDF, 83 KB).

The award winning JCU Learning Centre offers all JCU students online and face-to-face access to academic learning support. Access free workshops and short courses, download learning resources and get help with assignments, maths and statistics, exams and more through the website.

More than just a library - services include borrowing, study rooms, copying, binding, research support, information skills training, free workshops, access to journal articles and other databases, subject LibGuides, special collections and more. Visit the JCU Library website to find out what is on offer.

The Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library Liaison Officer helps students get the most out of JCU's library and information services and resources. Students can call, email or book an appointment online.

Our Indigenous Academic Support Advisors are here to help you succeed in your studies and progress through your degree.

They have an in-depth understanding of the challenges students usually face during their higher education studies, especially students from Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. They will also help with:

  • Academic coaching, such as tutoring
  • Helping you develop strategies to identify areas of improvement in your studies
  • Staying on track with your studies
  • Supporting you to create an effective study plan, and
  • Suggesting alternative ways to improve your academic progress.

Indigenous Academic Support Advisors are available for all our students, whether you are studying in Cairns or Townsville, at a regional study centre, or as an off-campus (external) student.

The JCU Careers and Employment Service is for all JCU students, offering career advice, action plans, job search strategies, resume checking and Linkedin profile development. Download resources and access online programs to help improve your graduate employment prospects. Search lists for part-time, casual, volunteer, vacation and graduate work opportunities.