James Cook University (JCU) Singapore
Cairns Student Lodge was privileged to meet Dr Dale Anderson, Deputy Vice Chancellor of JCU Singapore, in 2017.
Dr Anderson visited the Lodge in Far North Queensland as part of the finalisation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Singapore and Australia. This partnership agreement was subsequently signed by both nations’ Prime Ministers in 2017. JCU is an Australian University operating in Singapore enjoying the status of “University”.
Cairns Student Lodge is a privately owned facility. The Lodge provides purpose-built student accommodation with meals (7 days a week). In addition, the property is located just a short 8 minute walk to the JCU Cairns campus.
Dr Anderson believed the walk in the tropical gardens to university would provide students with the freedom to reflect and enjoy nature, prior to attending class. He also believed that having “A Home Away From Home” was very important for both the physical and mental well-being of students.
Achievements of Dr Dale Anderson
Dr Dale Anderson was initially trained in primary education in Australia. He worked as a teacher and Guidance Officer prior to accepting a number of senior roles within Education Queensland.
In 2000, Dr Anderson became the Institute Director at the Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE.
In 2004, Dr Dale Anderson was nominated for the Queensland Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service. He prepared the Palm Island Economic Development Plan, managed the Queensland South Sea Islander Employment Strategy. Furthermore, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership. The Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership is one of Australia’s leading think tanks on Indigenous issues.
In 2008, Dr Anderson joined JUC and with a promotion in 2010, was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor, of JCU Australia and Head of the Singapore Campus.
Dr Anderson’s has expertise in the fields of education and business development in Queensland and South East Asia. He is internationally well recognised as a leader, educator and innovator. He participated in trade missions and projects in a number of countries in the region. At the same time, he also developed partnerships and close working relationships in China, Vietnam and the United Kingdom as well.
Retirement Announcement
In April this year, Dr Anderson announced his retirement effective 31 December 2018.
During his time, JCU’s Singapore campus:*
- grew from 400 to almost 4000 students
- became a fully-fledged part of James Cook University when the University bought out the then minority shareholder
- was the first Australian university to achieve Singapore Quality Class Star
- moved to a modern campus on Sims Road, with room to grow
- awarded for community service, with one such award being presented by Prime Minister Lee
- achieved and sustained the highest quality rating EduTrust Star
- widened the range of programs on offer, including offering Research Higher degrees, including the PhD, in Singapore
- achieved recognition of JCU graduates with the Ministry of Education in China
- built a keen focus on alumni, demonstrated through the substantial growth of JCU Singapore’s Alumni Association (*source JCU, Australia)
In short, Cairns Student Lodge congratulates Dr Dale Anderson upon his retirement and we will certainly miss his sincere contributions to eduation, in both Australian and Singapore.
Inter-Campus Mobility Programme
JCU makes it easy for domestic and international students to study part of their degree at its campuses in Australia and Singapore using the Inter-Campus Mobility Programme. Students continue to pay for their tuition fee to their home campus while on the program. And of course, they receive credit towards their degree for subjects successfully completed while at the overseas campus.
Students based at JCU Townsville and JCU Cairns can spend one or two teaching periods (trimesters) at JCU Singapore. Students based at JCU Singapore can spend one or two teaching periods (semesters) at JCU Townsville or JCU Cairns. It’s a win-win situation for both campuses and most importantly students have the opportunity to experience different cultures as well.
Inter-Campus Students who stayed at Cairns Student Lodge
In Semester 2 of 2018, five students from JCU Singapore recently participated in the Inter-Campus Mobility Programme. They studied at JCU Cairns and stayed with us at the Lodge. Moreover, they really enjoyed themselves. The testimonials from Sarah, Tricia, Jasmine, Jobina and Luke can be found here. Read about their experience in our Lodge Event Hub activity “Free Cooking Class with Scott Chef” here.