James Cook University

James Cook University (JCU) is a dynamic university of global standing and Queensland’s second oldest university. It is place among the top four per cent of universities in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2013 report. It has a distinctive character shaped by its location in the tropical world, with many courses including tropical and global perspectives.
JCU’s tropical location and proximity to World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the rainforests of the Wet Tropics Region have strongly influenced course options offered. More than 40 per cent of the world’s population now lives in the tropics and this is likely to be close to 50 per cent by 2050. The world’s tropical belt generates approximately 20 per cent of global economic output and is home to 80 per cent of the world’s biodiversity.
Named for the intrepid explorer, Captain James Cook, JCU, is recognised worldwide for high quality research and educational programs that further tropical knowledge in ecology, medicine, environment, sustainability and marine biology.
The university maintains a commitment to the Indigenous peoples of Australia and provides a breadth of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educational opportunities . The JCU community values and celebrates the achievements of its many distinguished Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, graduates and staff.
An over-riding goal of the University is the provision of internationally recognised qualifications, as well as leadership and self-reliance skills that support graduates in their career choices and encourage them to contribute widely to local and global communities.
More info: http://www.jcu.edu.au/