C252/09
Furthering its constructive links with the mining industry, Curtin University of Technology’s Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) has established a memorandum of understanding with Paddington Gold Mine.
To be signed at Diggers and Dealers annual mining conference by Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeanette Hacket and Jon Price, Paddington General Manager, the agreement establishes cooperation in education, professional development, and research and development between WASM and Paddington.
“This agreement will help create the opportunity for more projects, providing students with better chances of securing work experience,” Professor Hacket said.
“The signing of this agreement formalises and improves the School’s existing links with industry and locks in practical applications for what students learn in the classroom.
WASM Director, Professor Paul Dunn, said the agreement would ensure that students receive the very best in vocational education and experience unparalleled links with industry.
“An important part of attending WASM is the knowledge that you will receive real exposure to the mining industry,” he said.
“We do our best to ensure that as many students as possible receive vocational training and have the best chance possible of finding employment when they graduate.
“Some of the mine’s staff already lecture at WASM and collaborative research work in metallurgy is already underway.
The agreement will provide Paddington with the opportunity to work with WASM students, giving the company the chance to identify graduates that would suit its workplace.
For Jon Price, WASM graduates make a great addition to the organisation, with a significant percentage of Paddington’s professional and managerial staff already coming from Curtin.
“This agreement builds on what is already a strong relationship,” he said.
“Industry and educational institutions must work more closely together to provide the combination of academic excellence and practical hands-on experience. We will be providing real time data for students to use and this can be followed up with site visits to the actual mine being studied.
“There is no better place than WASM to introduce students to the mining industry and we must ensure the school has a sustainable future, building on its unique world class learning environment.”
Paddington, a wholly owned subsidiary of Norton Goldfields, operates the 3.3Mtpa Paddington mill with underground and open cut mines in close proximity to Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
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