Educational pioneer stunned by honour
WINNER of the esteemed Legacy Award was completely taken aback when her name was announced at the gala awards ceremony.
Professor Sandra Harding, Vice Chancellor and President of James Cook University since 2007, had no idea she was even considered for the prestigious BEX award that recognises an individual for their outstanding contribution to the Cairns business community.
“I was absolutely surprised and delighted,” she said. “I wasn’t aware that that was going to happen, so I didn’t have any remarks ready, but it was a great honour and delight, and I was very grateful and humbled.”
Professor Harding has been recognised globally for her leadership of education in the tropics that has seen a new academic emphasis on life and the people of the tropics. She was appointed Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2019 for her distinguished service to education at the national and international level and to the community of Queensland.
During her tenure she has overseen more than $250 million in capital infrastructure, including the construction of the Dentistry School, the creation of the university’s city campus in Shields St, the expansion of the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine and the construction of the JCU Ideas Lab in Smithfield.
Under her leadership JCU has worked
successfully with the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service to acquire the land, funding and support needed to make Cairns University Hospital a reality. This development will include facilities that will help Cairns attract and retain medical specialists with the ambition to expand JCU’s medical program so students can complete their entire degree here in Cairns.
“I think the BEX awards was an important and invigorating evening,” Professor Harding added.
“I think it’s a marvellous thing coming together for the business community to do this, particularly after a couple of tough years. It’s really great to have things to celebrate.
“What I liked about it so much is that on display was this great energy and commitment in the business community in Cairns. The fact that a lot of the businesses that were recognised were in the thick of their business careers or emerging leaders says to me that the Cairns business future is really well placed given the calibre of businesses that were recognised.”