Our Mission: Improving tropical futures through research that has impact for people, environments & economies.

James Cook University (JCU) is the only Australian University with a fully-owned campus in Singapore. It is also the only University with a complete teaching and research portfolio, including approval to deliver higher-degree by research training (i.e. PhD, MPhil).

Given that research is a core component of the University, JCU has established the Tropical Futures Institute to leverage off our research capability and strength and that creates substantive value-add to the research ecosystems of Singapore and the ASEAN region. Accordingly, the Tropical Futures Institute is the first research institute established by an Australian university in Singapore and the opening was graced by the Chancellor Mr. Bill Tweddell, Vice-Chancellor of James Cook University Professor Sandra Harding and The Honourable Karen Andrews MP Australian Minister for Industry, Science and Technology on the 26th September, 2018.

The Tropical Futures Institute will deliver world class research in science, health and social sciences. Three pillars have been established to address local and regionally identified needs:

Pillar 1: Aquaculture focuses on sustainable production of aquaculture species and international business and trade in Asia.

Pillar 2: Healthy Ageing brings established excellence in public health, healthcare, and support services, particularly related to non-communicable diseases (i.e., diabetes) faced by aging populations denizen to the tropics.

Pillar 3: Tourism addresses both current and future tourism in the tropics in order to have impact on planning and decision making among the various tourism sectors.

Read full press release here.
Photos of the opening event are available here.