'Next generation' business degree at JCU

Students will now be able to complete a James Cook University business degree online, or on campus at Townsville, Cairns, Brisbane or Singapore, as part of a reinvigorated course structure.

The new JCU business degree, which starts next year, has been developed to keep pace with the ever-changing business world.

Head of the School of Business, Professor David Low, said the Bachelor of Business incorporated initiatives such as embedding sustainability within the course and the opportunity for students to spend time studying in the business hub of Asia.

“JCU has undertaken extensive consultation with industry in redesigning this degree to ensure its graduates are among the business leaders of the future,” Professor Low said.

“This ‘next generation’ degree boasts a flexible, attractive learning environment where the qualities and skills valued by employers of choice are instilled in students, better preparing them for the rapidly changing business world.

“It is unique in that it offers the option of study in Singapore, the business hub of Asia, providing students with the invaluable opportunity to absorb Asian culture and business methods.

“It is also the first course to fully embed sustainability throughout its structure, taking into account economic, social, cultural and environmental values to position the degree to fit sustainably within its place of delivery in the tropics.”

Professor Low said in keeping with JCU’s strength as one of the world’s leading institutions in the tropics, the degree focused on the skills needed to work in and operate a business in the tropics.

“The tropics bring a specific set of challenges, so students will learn to operate independently with little supervision, to cope with operations in remote locations where there are fewer resources and will gain an understanding of industries that operate in tropical locations,” he said.

“Many of these skills are invaluable throughout the business world and are transferrable to other locations ensuring students can begin their career where they want.”

Professor Low said just as the business world encompassed many industries, a JCU Business degree would allow students to include a major in non-discipline areas such as Indigenous studies, law, health, sustainability or creative arts.

“This means students can custom build their degree to suit the career they desire while ensuring they gain the core skills required of a Business graduate,” he said.

“What students learn in class is put into practice in the real world from the first year through to the third,” he said.

“Business students engage with industry through real-life case studies and site visits, giving them the advantage of looking at potential career paths and relating what they are learning to the real world.

“All the skills acquired throughout the course are put into practice in third year when students undertake a consulting project for a real company.

“Cross-disciplinary teaching is also incorporated so students from disciplines such as marketing, information technology and accounting work together to solve complex problems just as they would in the real business world.”

Issued: July 20, 2012

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