JCU officially opens new $100 million Engineering and Innovation Place at Douglas Campus, Townsville

The latest building investment from James Cook University is aiming to inspire students to study for a career in engineering and science, with the official opening of the $100m Engineering and Innovation Place.

JCU’s Engineering and Innovation Place. Picture: Supplied

The latest building investment from James Cook University is aiming to inspire students to study for a career in engineering and science, with the official opening of the $100 million Engineering and Innovation Place.

The four-storey 9400m2 building is the new home for students studying a wide range of STEM subjects including engineering, mathematics, chemistry, IT and more.

The building features 23 lab spaces, a lecture hall, conference rooms, an industry garage and a workshop and is already being used by students to spearhead research and innovation into ceramic 3-D printing, pesticide sensors and creating cleaner alternatives for waste processing.

JCU Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering Dr Elsa Antunes with a ceramic 3D printer inside the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Lab at the new Engineering and Innovation Place building. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Vice Chancellor and President of James Cook University Simon Biggs said the future was exciting for the university.

“We are really excited to be opening the new engineering and innovation place, JCU’s investment in the future of education here in the North for science, engineering, technology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, all of the students in the STEM areas,” he said.

With Queensland’s energy transition and projects such as CopperString 2032, Mr Biggs said the success of the region will be depended on technology.

“All these innovations, if we are going to achieve sustainability and the future energy needs of our country, are going to happen here in the North,” he said.

JCU official opening of the Engineering and Innovation Place. Picture: Nikita McGuire

“For that we’re going to need technical staff, were going to need engineers. We are going to need a wide range of highly qualified professionals. This building will form a really important part of us inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders here in the North of Australia.”
Made from recycled timber, with the roof covered in solar panels and an emphasis on natural light and aeration, the building has been designed ‘with the future in mind’.

“A building like this is six or seven years in duration from the time you decide you want to go ahead with the building,” Mr Biggs said.

JCU official opening of the Engineering and Innovation Place. Picture: Nikita McGuire

“There is a significant amount of work in architectural design, in project planning, in raising the funding to allow for the realisation of the project. The actual building itself is a two-year journey. From beginning to end you’re looking at six or seven years of solid effort.”

Federal Assistant Minister for Education Senator Anthony Chisholm said with the North West Minerals Province providing ‘critical minerals that the economy needs’, skilled workers are needed.

“When you study in a local community, you’re more likely to stay there long term,” he said,

“To have facilities like this that are going to encourage people to study in those fields, but get that inspiration that they need to stay in the local area, its going to be a tremendous facility here and an asset for North Queensland.”

Originally published as JCU officially opens new $100 million Engineering and Innovation Place at Douglas Campus, Townsville