At James Cook, students are not only guaranteed a wide spectrum of subjects to choose from, but also a university experience unique to the likes of this multi-cultural and vibrant institution.

By Nabilah Husna A. Rahman

The demand for degree qualifications from private institutions is an ever-expanding one. Where once they were perceived as partial qualifications that wouldn’t be recognised by most reputable organisations, they now provide graduates with a head start not only locally, but also abroad.

The Singapore campus of James Cook University Australia is one such establishment. For students Jacinta Heng and Stine Hansson, it offers an enriching university experience through a fulfilling education and multi-faceted campus life.

The Singapore campus’ curriculum caters specifically to the Asian context, being the first offshore campus for this Australian tropical environmental research university. Since the local campus was founded in 2003, student enrolment has swelled to 1,500 – an achievement fuelled by the quality of its courses approved by the Ministry of Education, and seamless business operations accredited by CaseTrust for Education.

A mindful decision
Jacinta, a student of the Bachelor of Psychology programme, was attracted to the school’s offer of an Australian degree. “I’ve always wanted to go to Australia to further my studies because I like the curriculum there, and I like the way they run their school programmes,” Jacinta says.

However, she confesses that, despite the enthralling idea of pursuing her dreams to study in an Australian university, she isn’t prepared to leave the country just yet. James Cook’s Singapore campus provided Jacinta with the opportunity she hoped for – an Australian degree in a local campus.

As the first university in Singapore to offer master’s and doctorate Psychology programmes, the Singapore campus was a natural choice for this former nursing student with a Psychology major.

“At James Cook, I have exposure to the Australian education system which is customised according to the local context,” Jacintha enthuses. “There are so many learning opportunities which have given me great exposure to what Psychology is all about and makes me even more intrigued to find out what I can do in the future.”

After completing her diploma in nursing at Nanyang Polytechnic, Jacinta performed her industry attachment at a hospital where she realised her passion was not only in the physiological wellbeing of individuals, but also interpersonal communication with the patients.

“There are some similarities between the two courses, because in Psychology, we also study cognitive psychology. I took Biology in nursing, and that helped me,” she explains. “I think my introductory courses in nursing also gave me a platform for learning.”

The learning environment at the university might take some getting used to for those who find it tough to thrive under pressure.

“It sounds a bit stressful when people tell you that they have three or four modules in four months, and don’t have a long holiday break,” she laughs. “But I enjoy this type of schedule because I find that it’s very challenging, and my time is not wasted. It also stimulates your mind. The good thing is that the lecturers don’t spoon-feed you; they make you think and this makes you more interested in your studies.”

She adds, “I know that at James Cook, I won’t always be stuck at the degree level, but I can progress on to master's and doctorate levels. Furthermore, it’s accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), which means I have opportunities to pursue my career both locally and globally!”

Serious business
For Stine Hansson, a budding businesswoman and expatriate student, leaving Denmark to pursue a degree in Business at this university was a decision that came instinctively.

“Since I was younger, I knew it was what I wanted to do,” she says. “Business gives me an opportunity to have a career afterwards, as well as work with people. I wanted to get a job where there’s not too much routine work.”

The modules available in Stine’s curriculum do not lack miscellany. Instead, she finds that her course of study covers all the necessary subjects for students to stay relevant. “I feel like they’re giving a good base for our future career, because of the broad education,” she says.

Cross-cultural management is one of her favourite modules, especially since Asia is full of cultural diversity.

“Being an expat student in Singapore, of course I’ve experienced cultural differences,” she says. “And that module helps me understand a lot about culture, and enables me to share mine with others. It also helps improve our ability to be able to work with international companies in the future.”

As the Vice-President of the Students Welfare Council, Stine also handles issues pertaining to the wellbeing of the student population. “What we’re starting to focus on now is the health aspect,” she elaborates. “We have to improve the quality of the food in the cafeteria so that it meets international students’ requirements. For new students coming in, we’ve started a buddy scheme, where the new students are assigned to one of the older students, to help and educate them in better understanding the rules and regulations of the university.”

“It’s a multicultural university and we have students from many different countries. I think that gives us a vibrant college life,” Stine adds, noting her personal growth throughout her years here. “I have learnt to trust my ability, capability, and myself. I feel greatly encouraged to do my best because my work is actually being valued.”

More than just teachers
The enlivening experience at the university gives its alumni a head start in the workforce. Jacinta attributes this to the “wonderful lecturers” who are not only helpful and willing, but have relevant industry experience in various fields.

“Our lecturers here are highly qualified, and many even have their own businesses to share their practical experiences with us,” Stine says, echoing Jacinta’s views. “They are very dedicated and eager to share with us everything they know.”

“As we get more and more students coming in, the whole university experience will improve. I have learnt how to deal with people from different cultures. That, to me, is a very important thing,” Stine concludes.