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JCU appoints first female and Indigenous chancellor
History has been made at James Cook University with the appointment of a new chancellor, who is the first woman — and the first Indigenous person — to be elected to the role.
Lauren Croft
In celebration of her new appointment, new JCU chancellor Professor Ngiare Brown will take part in an investiture ceremony on the lawns of the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library at Townsville’s Bebegu Yumba campus this week to formally induct her as the university’s sixth chancellor.
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A Yuin woman from the south coast of NSW, Professor Brown was one of the nation’s first Indigenous medical graduates and is an advocate for better Indigenous health outcomes.
“It is a tremendous honour to be elected to this incredibly important role at JCU and continue the rich legacy left by those who served before me,” she said.
“As a proud JCU alumnus, I hope to be able to leverage my experiences in Indigenous affairs, health, education and politics in service of JCU’s core business in research and education.
“I look forward to engaging with JCU staff and students and strengthening the crucial role we play in the broader community as a provider of quality tertiary education and world-class research.”
JCU vice chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said the new chancellor would help lead JCU into its next phase of development.
“Prof Brown’s investiture as chancellor marks a new era for JCU and one that we hope will inspire our students to continue striving for excellence in their chosen fields,” he said.
“Having previously been recognised by the university as an outstanding alumni, she has an innate understanding of, and appreciation for, the regional areas we serve across northern Queensland and the broader Asia-Pacific.
“I look forward to working with Prof Brown over the coming years.”
