Curtin University of Technology’s new $116 million Resources and Chemistry Precinct — one of the largest centres of resources, energy and chemistry research and education in the Southern Hemisphere — will be opened today by Premier Colin Barnett.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jeanette Hacket, said the Precinct had more than 200 research, teaching and support staff from Curtin’s Department of Chemistry and the State Government’s ChemCentre.
“One of the Precinct’s core goals is to bring together industry, government and academia,” she said.
“Through its role as a hub of collaborative research and education, the Precinct is the perfect foundation for high-impact and industry-relevant research, producing world-class graduates for the resources and chemistry sectors.”
With exactly 100 laboratories, including ten specially designed for teaching, the Precinct provides facilities for a diverse range of research, including work on hydrometallurgy, water quality testing and treatment, nanotechnology, corrosion research, forensic science and biotechnology.
Julius Matthys, President BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina said the Precinct was supported by the world’s largest diversified mining company, BHP Billiton.
“We believe that this collaboration between industry and academia will improve the scientific skills base that the resources industry depends on,” he said.
“Our $5 million contribution to the Curtin Resources and Chemistry Precinct will help develop the next generation of skilled Western Australians and advance research in the industry. We are proud to be investing in education in Western Australia.”
Federal Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson will also officially launch the Curtin Institute of Minerals and Energy, which is based in the Precinct.
Contact: Shaun Ratcliff; Public Relations Coordinator; Curtin; 08 9266 9085; 0401 103 755; s.ratcliff@curtin.edu.au OR Ian Fletcher; Vice President External Affairs; BHP Billiton Iron Ore; 0409 202657; ian.fletcher@bhpbilliton.com
