JCU graduates 'five star' in getting a job

August 27, 2013: - James Cook University graduates continue to be strongly sought after according to the latest edition of the Good Universities Guide.

Published today (Aug 27), the Guide gives JCU a five star rating in the “Getting a full-time job” category for the third year in a row. Only six other universities across the country scored as high.

The category reflects the proportion of job-seeking graduates aged under 25 who were successful in securing full-time employment within four months of graduation.

The Guide has revamped some of its categories this year dropping “Gender Balance” and “Indigenous Participation” – JCU scored a five-star rating in both last year – and including or altering others.

In the crucial student staff ratio, JCU’s rating has risen to the second highest category of four stars. It also recorded improved ratings in the areas of staff qualifications, and, as rated by graduates, the generic skills acquired in their courses and overall satisfaction with their courses.

JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding said that the University was particularly pleased that its graduates were quickly finding employment and adding to the knowledge community of the region.

“It is also notable that the University is now ranked in the ‘big’ category by the Guide for the number of students it is attracting from overseas.

“It’s through our graduates and the research conducted at the University that we will achieve our aim to make a difference not only locally but throughout the tropical world,” she said.

“Less than two weeks ago we learnt that the University was now ranked as one of the top 150 universities in the world in the subject area of life and agriculture sciences according to the authoritative Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).”

The ARWU also said JCU had consolidated its position in the top bracket of the 301-400 group of the best universities in the world and was ranked equal 10th among Australian institutions.

“The University’s ARWU ranking takes on greater emphasis when – according to the Good Universities Guide – we are regarded as ‘small’ university,” Professor Harding said.

The Guide reveals that Australia now has ten universities with more than 40,000 students and another seven with more than 30,000. JCU with almost 20,000 students is ranked as a “small” university.

JCU Media: Jim O’Brien 07 4781 4822 or 0418892449

Issued: August 27, 2013