In Kalgoorlie, over $40 million is committed for new and
expanded student accommodation, which includes $20 million
from the state government via the Royalties for Regions
program. Not only will this cover the first ever rebuild of
Agricola College, but will also upgrade on-campus teaching and
research infrastructure.
The mining equipment simulator is now regularly being
used in student teaching and project work. A new 60-seat
state-of-the-art mine design laboratory was commissioned at
the start of 2013, and over $500,000 of geotechnical teaching
and research equipment will be ready in refurbished laboratories
for the start of the 2014 academic year. It is anticipated that
a new student learning space, incorporating the relocated
library, will be ready at the same time.
The steady growth in student numbers on the Kalgoorlie
campus, to around 650 in 2013, has required the recruitment of
around 40% extra academic staff in the departments of Mining
Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering.
At Bentley, new initiatives include the commissioning of
over $10 million of new geophysics equipment as part of the
National Geosequestration Laboratory, the appointment of a
new Chevron Chair in Petroleum Geology and a new Director of
The Institute for Geoscience Research (TIGeR). A new building
to house major analytical equipment in support of the well-
above world standard research in geosciences will also be
completed in 2015. A next phase of the AMIRA-supported
international Gold Technology Project commenced during 2013,
with over $3 million of funding for three years from major
global industry partners.
International partnerships in education and research are a
key component of the strategic plan for Curtin University, and
WASM is expected to play a major role in this area as many
parts of the globe expand resource investment. Undergraduate
linkages with our near neighbours, such as Indonesia and New
Zealand, are well advanced, postgraduate linkages with South
Korea, India, China, Brazil and African countries are in place
and new opportunities in other parts of South America and Asia
are currently being explored.
The WASM Graduates Association continues to provide great
support to WASM and in 2013 revitalised a major scholarship
initiative and a mentoring scheme for students. Curtin
University will commence a major fundraising campaign in
late 2013 to allow WASM to continue to enhance its teaching
and research capabilities, through additional scholarships,
academic appointments and improved infrastructure, over the
next few years.
International partnerships
in education and research
are a key component of
the strategic plan for
Curtin University, and
WASM is expected to play
a major role in this area
as many parts of the globe
expand resource investment.
Geophysics students change a load cell on a tri-axial apparatus
Surveying students use a total station to measure angles and distances on a construction site
Minesite 2013
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