JCU chief has big dreams
JAMES Cook University’s new vice-chancellor and president, Professor Simon Biggs, has started work in the top job, with a mission to ensure Far North residents reap the educational and economic benefits of having a world-class university on their doorstep.
The 57-year-old succeeded Professor Sandra Harding, who retired after nearly 15 years of service, and said he was thrilled about the position.
Standing in the JCU Ideas Lab at the Smithfield campus, Professor Biggs said the role of universities in the communities they serve is especially vital at this time.
“The key things for me is I want to grow the JCU footprint in Cairns and ensure we are proving a really high quality education so people in Cairns in the region can gain real and meaningful employment in the region and beyond,” he said.
“Any university exists to improve the social and economic outcomes of their region.
“It’s about how a worldclass university can be a part of the community, as it delivers high quality educational outcomes for the area and how do we connect our research to the economic growth of the region.”
He said responsibility for ensuring clear and effective leadership and management of JCU across all operating sites, including campuses in Cairns, Townsville and Singapore, is a critical role.
Professor Biggs said people would soon see works occurring as part of the FNQ Health and Innovation Precinct, at a site bordered by Sheridan, Charles and Digger streets in Cairns North.
“We are growing the JCU footprint in a partnership with the hospital’s trust,” he said.
“JCU will work with them to improve the health outcomes for the people of Cairns, which is really important.
“I am very hopeful we will see concrete progress, pun intended, over the next few months. Because people’s access to health in the city is not as good as it needs to be.
“I have only been in the role for three weeks but I’m really excited about the opportunities to lead the university in its next phase of development.”
Chancellor of JCU Bill Tweddell said Professor Biggs brought a very broad range of experience from working across a range of institutions in Australia and overseas.
“Professor Biggs will provide strong leadership for JCU during a time of great opportunity and challenge for the university sector,” Mr Tweddell said.