Universities back our city

THE faith that James Cook University and CQUniversity has in Cairns is proven once again with both institutions announcing two significant steps in their growth today.

JCU has opened its clinical skills lab at the university’s CBD campus.

The lab includes a simulated hospital ward and GP consulting rooms and will be used by JCU’s 180 Cairns-based medical students and by qualified doctors completing GP training throughout Cairns via JCU’s general practice training program.

The aim is to have medical students and qualified doctors working together in the same building to provide a continuity of support for medical students and JCU graduates who are choosing to work and continue their training in Cairns.

CQU has provided details of its aviation skills hub, a $4.8 million commitment to establish stage one of the Asia-Pacific Aviation Education and Research Hub at Cairns Airport.

The hub will be a much-needed facility as demands grow for pilots, skilled maintenance workers and cabin crew in the aviation industry.

Stage one will focus on airline pilot education and training to address the global shortage of airline pilots.

It will provide a one-stop shop for students to earn a commercial pilot’s licence.

It is just stage one, too. Stages two and three will focus on airport and airline operations and air-worthiness.

Both investments prove the commitment by the universities to Cairns and to meet increasing demands for doctors and pilots.

Critically, they provide clear career pathways for their students who can study in Cairns. Nick Dalton Deputy editor