Huge boost for Cairns and the tropics
The Federal Government grant announced by the Prime Minister, Mr Rudd, today will make the Cairns region an engine room for Australia’s engagement with the tropical world, James Cook University Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding said today.
“The grant will enable the University to build an iconic building to accommodate the Cairns Institute and deliver infrastructure that is essential to its development by housing research, research training, laboratories and learning spaces, conference, exhibition and engagement spaces,” she said.
The Cairns Institute is a new international research, consulting and training hub based on James Cook University’s Smithfield Campus. Established in 2008 with a commitment of $5.184m in Federal funding and $10.284m contribution in salaries and in-kind from James Cook University, the Institute began operating this year in temporary quarters.
“The $19.5 million from the Federal Government goes a very long way towards the cost of the building and confirms the Government’s commitment to regional development, education and research, and to boosting Australia’s contribution to the development of our neighbours in the Asia Pacific region,” Professor Harding said.
“We have established the Institute and appointed world renowned academics but until the Institute has its own building their work will be restricted,” she said. “Today’s announcement by the Prime Minister is a huge boost for the University, for Cairns, and for Australia’s engagement with the tropics.”
Mr Jim Turnour, the Member for Leichhardt said the $19.5 million investment in the Cairns Institute by the Australian Government was very exciting for James Cook University and for Tropical North.
"The Cairns Institute will make the Cairns region a hub for tropical knowledge and innovation, and help our region to lead the world in tropical expertise," he said. "It will provide opportunities for local people to study and work in a world class institute and attract students and researchers from around the world with an interest in tropical studies.
"JCU is a critical driver of our region's economy and this significant investment will provide a solid foundation for the University's continued growth in Cairns," Mr Turnour said.
"Around 200 jobs will be supported during the construction phase of the Cairns Institute."
Mr Turnour said that today’s investment builds on the Rudd Government's commitment of almost $50 million towards the establishment of a dental school at JCU, which is presently under construction.
The Cairns Institute is dedicated to advanced studies in the social, economic and human development issues of the tropical world with the capacity to develop human potential and enhance the quality of life in northern Queensland, northern Australia, Asia and the near Pacific.
“While the ‘hard sciences’ are important, the big challenges are human challenges of adaptation and change, poverty and health, inequality and justice,” Professor Harding said. “That’s what this Institute will focus on in a grounded way – not only world class research, but world changing practice.
“It will be the premier social development, capacity building and training centre in Australia’s north and the wider region, realising James Cook University's distinctive tropical vision and strategic intent.
“It will attract researchers, academics, policy specialists and other visitors either as consultants or to undertake further training; it will be a site and catalyst for innovation on issues associated with industries, economies, peoples and societies in the tropics,” she said.
“Other key issues of interest to the Institute include addressing Indigenous disadvantage, challenges of rural and regional economic development, access to service infrastructure, tourism impacts, and climate change.”
The construction of the $25 million Institute building is expected to create 200 jobs and be finished in 2011.
The Institute already has six internationally renowned professors as Tropical leaders, 11 Visiting Scholars, and more than 20 Senior Fellows and Fellows .
Along with Higher Degree research students and Post-doctoral researchers, the Institute is expected to expand to 125 staff and students.