James Cook University

Located in the heart of Singapore, James Cook University (JCU) is a branch of the Australian university and is known for its strong international programs. With more than 75% of its student body comprised of international students, JCU Singapore must comply with strict government regulations that mandate daily attendance tracking to maintain visa and accreditation requirements.

"We’re not just tracking attendance for academic requirements. For many students, their visa and academic future are directly tied to these records," explains Hari Sampath, Senior Manager for Software Applications at JCU.

But as their campus expands, so does their need for solutions that meet their growing needs.

A history of innovation

In 2013, the team replaced manual, paper-based tracking with biometric fingerprint readers to improve accuracy and reduce proxy sign-ins. But after years of use and the arrival of COVID-19, the contact-based system became unreliable and unsuitable due to hygiene concerns, audit delays, and proxy attendance.

"We needed to move away from touch-based systems, especially post-COVID," says Hari. "Gallagher offered the contactless, real-time data and central control we were looking for."

The Business Value

JCU Singapore selected Gallagher for its ability to deliver a simple yet powerful solution to a complex challenge — managing attendance and access control in a high-compliance environment. With thousands of students and staff accessing various facilities daily, the university required a system that could reduce administrative overhead, ensure real-time data visibility, and support future growth. The decision to implement Gallagher wasn’t just about replacing outdated technology; it was about choosing a system that aligned with the university values of innovation, accountability, and student success.

Smart technology, seamless transition

With minimal disruption to their existing infrastructure, JCU Singapore installed Gallagher’s C7000 Single Door Controllers and T15 readers across the campus. Students now use the readers to check in on campus, in classrooms, and in shared spaces such as cafeterias and study hubs. Attendance is synced in real-time to JCU’s custom-built portal, enabling administrators and faculty to access reports by the hour rather than the day.

In just two months of post-rollout, the university issued over 4,000 mobile credentials, enabling seamless digital identification and reducing reliance on physical ID cards.
The Gallagher readers have achieved an impressive 99.98% availability, ensuring near-continuous access for students and staff across all monitored entry points.

"It used to be a painful, manual process. Now, attendance processing that took a day can be done every hour," Hari says. "If there's an issue with a reader, Command Centre alerts us immediately. We don't have to wait for an email - everything is visible in one place."