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Professor Ngiare Brown Picture : Newcastle University / Toybox Films Pty Ltd .
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Indigenous health leader appointed as JCU ’ s new Chancellor .
By Emilie Lauer
James Cook University has elected its first Indigenous female chancellor who aims to solidify the Brisbanebased university as a top choice for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students .
Professor Ngiare Brown , one of the first Aboriginal medical graduates in Australia , will commence her five-year term as JCU ’ s sixth Chancellor on April 24 .
Brown is a proud Yuin nation woman from the south coast of NSW and said she was “ honoured and excited ” to take on the job .
“ We will focus on the existing core business of the institution , but also the next phases of growth development ,” she told Campus Review .
“ It is about extending reach and scope and the work of James Cook University and the communities that it serves .”
In 1992 , Brown became the first Aboriginal person in NSW to graduate with a medical degree after completing a bachelor of medicine at the University of Newcastle .
Brown ’ s history with JCU began in 2000 when she joined to study a Master ’ s of Public Health and Tropical Medicine , before being named an outstanding alumnus in 2012 .
“ I have good memories from my time as a student , everyone was very supportive and they offered me an opportunity to expand my skill set as a health professional ,” she said .
Brown said the strong , early connection she developed with her fellow researchers has heavily influenced her career and achievements .
“ Academics at JCU have always been held in high regard in their fields in regional , rural and remote health , in Aboriginal health and public health ,” she said .
“ That influence in having that academic backing makes an enormous difference to the quality of evidence-based and evidence-informed policy you provide to services , ministers and governments .”
JCU TO BE A “ UNIVERSITY OF CHOICE ” FOR INDIGENOUS STUDENTS
Brown said Australia ’ s tertiary sector has a responsibility to engage more with communities to increase Indigenous students ’ and staff enrolment numbers .
Universities must continue to tailor their courses to make learning content more accessible for wider groups of people , Brown said .
“ All things are within our reach if our people are supported , if we can honour the pathways people want for themselves , we shall blossom , lead , grow and surprise .”
According to a 2022-25 report by Universities Australia , the number of First Nations student enrolments have doubled nationwide since 2008 .
During the same period the number of First Nation ’ s people working in universities has also doubled , official employment data shows .
By listening to Indigenous communities , universities can better foster local talent and offer more academic opportunities into the regions , Brown said .
“ I ’ m going to be a bit cheeky . I would like to see JCU grow to be a university of choice for indigenous peoples in Australia but also in the Pacific ,” she said . ■
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