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 2020 IERC Brochure for more information.
Coming to university does not have to be an overwhelming experience. The JCU Indigenous Education and Research Centre is a home away from home for students.
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.
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. For Indigenous students to access the IERC facilities after hours please enquire by email ierc@jcu.edu.au.
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).
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.
Our Indigenous Student Support Advisors support you throughout your degree. They provide mentoring, encouragement and a safe environment and can help you source further information such as:
- Accommodation options
- Managing finances, including contacting Centrelink
- Applying for scholarships
- Working through stress and anxiety, and
- Maintaining personal health and wellbeing while staying focused on your passion and direction.
Indigenous Academic Support Advisors and Student 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.
Meet our dynamic team of management staff, teaching staff, academic and student support advisors, researchers and administration staff.
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.