James Cook University (JCU) is a public university based in Townsville, Queensland, Australia and was proclaimed on 20 April 1970 in Townsville. JCU is the second oldest university in Queensland and the first tertiary education institution in North Queensland. JCU is one of only 17 Australian universities that was listed in the ARWU top 400 academic world universities in 2008. The main fields of research include marine sciences, biodiversity, sustainable management of tropical ecosystems, tropical health care and tourism. The University is named after the British sea captain James Cook who popularised the discovery and potential colonial value of the east coast of Australia and whose exploratory vessel HM Bark Endeavour ran aground for repairs in North Queensland. After being proclaimed on 20 April 1970 as an Act of Queensland Parliament, The University College of Townsville became James Cook University of North Queensland on 29 April 1970. The official opening of the University was conducted by Queen Elizabeth II. On 1 January 1982, JCU amalgamated with The Townsville College of Advanced Education located adjacent to the main campus in Douglas.