JCU joins forces with Whitsunday Regional Council
James Cook University will formally partner with Whitsunday Regional Council (WRC), with the University excited to collaborate with one of Australia’s fastest growing regions.
JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs this week met with Whitsundays Mayor Ry Collins and WRC CEO Warren Bunker in Proserpine to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties.
This landmark agreement is the first between JCU and WRC and will focus on achieving measurable and sustainable outcomes for the Region, with a particular focus on work integrated learning, workforce development, student support and research and innovation.
Professor Biggs said this partnership will help deliver the social and economic gains needed to sustain development and ensure a thriving, healthy community in the Whitsundays.
“The Whitsundays is one of Australia’s and Queensland’s fastest growing regions, with significant population growth forecast in the Cannonvale - Proserpine corridor over the coming decade,” he said.
“It was great to hear about the future of the region from the Mayor Ry Collins and CEO Warren Bunker.
“Retention of workforce and growing their own is important for Council and they are also interested in exploring opportunities for attracting researchers and research collaboration in the region, especially around the Great Barrier Reef.
“Our partnership with WRC is also a strong reminder of JCU’s founding purpose: to improve the lives of people in the tropics through education, research and innovation.”
JCU already has strong links to the Whitsundays region with students from the region studying across all areas of the university, while students studying Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Education and other disciplines regularly undertake practical placements in Bowen, Proserpine, Cannonvale and Airlie Beach.
Prof Biggs and Mayor Collins identified in the first two years of the MOU they would work together to build opportunities for placements and internships with Council and within the community, and pathways for students to get experience living and working in the region.
“The Whitsunday region, and Cannonvale in particular, is experiencing a population boom. They are expecting growth over the coming years and have plans in place to invest in community infrastructure to meet the needs of that growing population,” Prof Biggs said.
“I look forward to working together with the Council and local community to grow the education opportunities in the Whitsunday region.”
Mayor Collins said the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding marked an important step forward for the region.
"This is about laying the groundwork for new opportunities,” he said.
“Nothing changes overnight, but this agreement shows that Council and JCU are serious about working together to create a smarter, more connected Whitsunday region.
"Education and innovation are what drive regional growth. By linking our local knowledge with JCU’s expertise, we can tackle challenges and attract investment that benefits our community in the long run.
"Too often our young people feel they have to leave to get ahead. This partnership is about keeping more doors open here at home – so they can learn, train and gain real-world experience without always moving away."