General News
23 January, 2026
‘O Week’ starts uni journey
HUNDREDS of students arrived in Cairns this week to take part in James Cook University’s ‘Orientation Week’ celebrations, to mark the beginning of their academic journeys.
JCU vice chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said it had been an exciting time at both Cairns and Townsville campuses as about 2000 students gathered for the start of the year.
Students took part in events, including campus tours, pancake breakfasts and lunches, market day activities and introductions to all courses on offer.
“O Week offers the perfect opportunity for new students to see the campus and experience the best of what JCU has to offer, both academically and socially,” Prof Biggs said.
International students from American, African, Asian and Pacific nations were also beginning their Australian study experience.
“We’ve seen strong growth in international students wanting to study in the health sciences, with Bachelor of Dentistry, Batchelor of Nursing Sciences and Masters of Social Work being the most popular courses,” Prof Biggs said.
“We are also pleased to see increased domestic student demand across a range of courses at JCU compared to the same period last year, in both Cairns and Townsville.
O Week ends today before trimester one classes begin on Monday, 26 January.
