Mining Engineering is one of the three foundation disciplines at UNSW. Today, the School rates as one of the largest and most vibrant centres of tertiary mining education in the western world.
In 1999, it was described by the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) as one of the best centres of mining engineering education in Australia because of its strong industry links, its staff profile and its vibrant student body.
After undertaking a national review of minerals tertiary education, the MCA invited the school to become a partner in developing a select network of national centers of best practice. Hence, the program has close ties to the minerals industry and to the other two select programs at the University of Queensland and Curtin University. The Minerals Tertiary Education Council (MTEC), established by the MCA, has allocated some $5 million over a 5 year period towards developing these preferred programs into world’s best practice.
The quality of the UNSW Mining Engineering program was recognised by industry again in 2000 with the establishment of a $4 million Foundation Trust to support the School. The NSW Minerals Council contributed $2.5 million, with UNSW making up the balance. In 2001, the Institution of Engineers Australia (IEA) described the Mining Engineering Program as exemplary when it reviewed the School’s accreditation.
Unlike some other disciplines at university, the School of Mining Engineering has a modest student base averaging thirty students in each year of the undergraduate program and a further forty students in various postgraduate programs. This makes for a more collegiate and caring environment where learning and social activities are intermixed. Students and staff are on first names terms.
The School of Mining Engineering has a strong research base that is closely linked to industry. A feature of the school is that a large proportion of the academic staff are drawn from industry and have strong practical, educational and research experience that is integrated into the course. For example, three have worked as mine managers and two have lead major industry research establishments.
Over 30% of Australia’s mining engineers in the past three decades have been produced by UNSW. This, in association with strong connections to industry, facilitates students obtaining industrial training during their vacation periods and employment on completion of their degree.
Back to top of page
|
