O-mazing week ahead for new students

James Cook University has welcomed more than 1,700 new students, who are diving into a week of celebrations to mark the beginning of their studies.

JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs says it is an exciting time at both campuses as staff prepare to welcome new and returning students for Trimester 3 Orientation Week from Monday, September 8.

“It’s a special time for our new students, who are no doubt eager to begin their JCU journey,” Prof Biggs said.

“O Week offers the perfect opportunity for new students to experience the best of what JCU has to offer, both academically and socially. Our aim is to ensure they are well prepared to succeed in the years ahead.”

New arrivals at JCU’s Bebegu Yumba campus in Townsville and Nguma-bada campus in Cairns can look forward to a lively Trimester 3 O Week, packed with international morning teas, scavenger hunts, trivia nights, student lunches, welcome breakfasts and lots of networking opportunities.

Around 280 new international students will also begin their JCU journeys in Trimester 3 across both campuses.

JCU Prep (enabling mature students and school leavers to gain the skills and knowledge they need to enter their preferred course of study), the Graduate Certificate of Advanced Practice and Prescribing for Pharmacists, and bachelor’s degrees in engineering, laws and science are the top courses for new domestic students at JCU this trimester.

For new international students this trimester, the Master of Marine Biology, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Marine Science were the frontrunners.

“We are pleased see increased domestic student demand across a range of courses at JCU compared to the same period last year, which has been bolstered by strong international enrolments across both Cairns and Townsville,” Prof Biggs said.

“This underscores JCU’s commitment to quality education and research that continues to have real-world outcomes.”

O Week will conclude this Friday before classes begin next week.