James Cook University

James Cook University (JCU) is defined by the tropics. We are unique among Australian universities, being established with an explicit (legislated) focus on education and research addressing the critical challenges facing natural and human systems in the tropics, world-wide.

Our aims are challenging but attainable. Marshalling our broad intellectual strengths, we seek knowledge-based ways to help the worlds tropical regions prosper. We do this through shaping our teaching, research and engagement around four themes; Tropical Ecosystems and Environment; Industries and Economies in the Tropics; Peoples and Societies in the Tropics; Tropical Health, Medicine and Biosecurity. The University has internationally recognised research strengths in the fields of environmental science and management, ecology, coral reef science, biology and biochemistry, plant and animal science, geosciences, tropical health and medicine, high speed wind engineering, Indigenous knowledge, linguistics and tourism studies. JCU has three main campuses; Townsville and Cairns in tropical North Queensland and Singapore. The Australian campuses are adjacent to two UNESCO World Heritage sites the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet tropics rainforests of Northern Queensland. We live in the tropics, we work in the tropics.

Foundation year: 1961
Short name: JCU
Type: Public
Students: 11880
Faculty: 530
Faculty/Students Ratio: 22:1
Region: Oceania
Location: Cairns