Representatives from Curtin University and The University of Western Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Energy and Minerals Resource Development Association of Korea (EMRD).
Mr Mark Woffenden, Executive Director of Curtin’s Resources & Chemistry Precinct and UWA’s Energy and Minerals Director Tim Shanahan agreed the MoU strengthened and expanded a two-year relationship between Curtin, UWA and the Korea Energy and Minerals Resources Engineering Program (KEMREP).
A 10-member university consortium, KEMREP is committed to broadening Korea’s academic expertise in mineral resources through international collaboration.
“Signing this MoU builds on our achievements and helps expand a partnership strongly focused on education, bilateral work experience, exchange of staff and joint research,” Mr Woffenden said.
“The relationship has already resulted in a number of Korean students undertaking units of study through Curtin’s WA School of Mines and UWA, and has been instrumental in gaining industry placements for some Korean students with significant members of the community, including Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton.
“It is our hope that this will be a long-term institutional collaboration.”
Mr Woffenden said he appreciated the work of Minister for Education Dr Elizabeth Constable, who was in attendance at the signing. He said the Minister was pivotal in establishing and developing relationships with both KEMREP and EMRD.
Mr Woffenden said Curtin and UWA were particularly grateful for the contributions of EMRD Executive Vice-Chairman Mr Kyu Chang Chung and KEMREP Chair Professor Chang-Woo Lee of Dong-A University.
The MoU was signed at the Resources and Chemistry Precinct at Curtin University’s Bentley Campus by Professor Lee (KEMREP) and Mr Chung (EMRD), Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor David Wood (Curtin) and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Louden (UWA). The ceremony included delegates from KEMREP, EMRD, UWA, Curtin and the Australia Korea Business Council of WA.
