Universities are leading charge

IT’S a satisfying feather in the cap for the Cairns-based campuses of James Cook University and CQ-University which are outperforming some of the biggest names in tertiary education in Queensland.

Both universities, which have campuses in the CBD of Cairns, have been highly successful in getting graduates new jobs with better pay.

The surprising 2018 Graduate Outcomes Survey released today, ahead of university offers going out to Queensland high school graduates, has revealed the pleasing findings.

The results show the two institutions, not only had the highest percentage of undergraduates securing full-time work immediately after graduating, but were among the highest in the country.

Almost 80 per cent of JCU and CQU students secured full-time employment immediately on graduating, compared to 66.8 per cent and 68 per cent for Griffith and QUT in Brisbane.

It gives credit to both universities which took the risk to establish campuses in the city’s CBD.

CQU’s decision to establish in Cairns was primarily to be in the CBD to benefit both students and staff as well as surrounding businesses.

JCU followed suit but still maintains its principal campus at Smithfield 15km north of the inner city.

The survey provides a lot of confidence to high school students and their parents considering study options without having to leave the Far North. Nick Dalton Deputy editor