UNSW's School of Mining Engineering is hosting free information seminars for high-school students where they can find out about 15 new scholarships worth more than $700,000.
Wilson da Silva
Faculty of Engineering
+61 407 907 017
w.dasilva@unsw.edu.au
UNSW's School of Mining Engineering – ranked 5th in the world – will be hosting a free Information Dinner for local Year 10, 11 and 12 students, their parents or teachers where they can find out more about 15 new scholarships worth more than $700,000 being offered for study in 2018.
UNSW academics, current students and industry professionals will be on hand to give prospective students an insight into a career in Mining Engineering. Find out about entry options, campus life, study and career options and what it’s really like to work in the mining and resources industry.
INFORMATION DINNERS SCHEDULE
To register: Register here for a dinner (RSVP by Monday 8 May)
The scholarships are a joint initiative of UNSW and the mining industry, seeking to counter the mistaken perception that the industry is in long-term decline and there will be few jobs in the sector.
In fact, with the turnaround in commodity prices during the past year, the industry is again seen as a major generator of economy activity and wealth for Australia.
To ensure the mining industry can continue to be highly productive and competitive, it needs high-quality mining engineering graduates who will develop the new technologies and systems that will keep it as the leading global supplier of minerals and energy products.
UNSW School of Mining Engineering students at a mining engineering camp at the Cadia Valley gold mine near Orange, NSW.
“This is the sixth mining cycle I’ve been through, so I’ve seen it all before,” said Paul Hagan, Head of the School of Mining Engineering. “Within two or three years, as production rises in response to growing demand, there is likely to be a shortfall of qualified engineers entering the workforce.”
During the past year, the iron ore price rose 60% and prices for other minerals such as zinc hit a new five-year high, up 50%, both of them because of supply shortages. Even greater rises have been seen for coking coal needed for steel manufacture.
“We are seeing signs of a turnaround in mining activity, a rise in commodity prices and a flow of investment back into the resources sector,” said Paul Flynn, Managing Director of Whitehaven Coal. “Based on past cycles, we’ll be short of skills within three years. That’s why we need to attract enrolments now, so we have enough engineers graduating when we really need them.”
Scholarship recipients receive assistance in securing industry training, and scholarships are open to Australian citizens or permanent residents who enrol at UNSW for 2018.
UNSW’s School of Mining Engineering ranks 5th in the world in the 2017 QS World University Rankings and has the highest employer reputation of mining schools in Australia. It is home to the world’s first immersive virtual reality mine site, in which students simulate various mining scenarios – going beyond textbooks and lecture halls to safely experience lessons first-hand. The School developed the unique Industry Experience Help Program that assists students gain industry placement during the summer holiday period. This together with the range of field site visits enhances the student experience and adds to their graduate competitiveness.
The School also hosts the Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices, recognised internationally as an authority on sustainable resource extraction.
“Mining engineers are key players in this global industry, taking part in all phases of operations,” said Mark Hoffman, UNSW’s Dean of Engineering. “From exploration and discovery, to feasibility studies, mine design, planning and production, processing and even marketing. They can work anywhere in the world – and often do, from mountains and remote deserts to corporate head offices. It’s a great career.”
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