Mining Education Australia (MEA) has been congratulated by a leading mining academic  for providing a well balanced mining engineering degree that gives students the attributes needed in future graduates.

Mining Education Australia has worked hard to develop an all-rounded program and according to Professor Malcolm Scoble, they have been very successful.

A diverse range of mining scenarios is covered throughout the program and “all core professional competencies for mining engineers are addressed” said Professor Malcolm Scoble.

The program content has been described as thorough and well organised with the program being centralized around six specialised themes.

Ongoing support from the staff and the balance between lectures, project based learning and self directed learning is very valuable and “considered to be unique in mining education”, said Professor Scoble.

After visiting the member universities, interviewing staff and students it has been said that the MEA program gives students the tools to develop their communication skills and strengthen their research competence.

The balanced program will give graduates the qualities to competently approach the workplace in the future according to Professor Scoble.

Thinking of a Cadetship? You can with MEA’s study options.
MEA is providing more flexibility in education opportunities for people wishing to enter the mining industry and now are able to accommodate cadetships in the mining industry, whilst completing a mining degree over 6 years. Cadetships benefit both students and industry by allowing students to combine study with paid work, gaining valuable on the job experience at a mining company.

Students wishing to take advantage of this new flexible mode of study are encouraged to approach the HR departments of mining companies to enquire into cadetship programs.

Congratulations to MEA Lecturer Dr Mehmet Kizil who has again received an award for teaching excellence from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. This makes it two years in a row for Mehmet who also achieved an award in 2007. This year’s award was for outstanding teaching, dedicated commitment and leadership in innovative curriculum development through successful national and industry collaboration in Mining Engineering.

Congratulations to Dr Mehmet Kizil, MEA Lecturer who was awarded the inaugural Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture (ESPA) Excellence in Teaching Awards at the EPSA Teaching and Learning Showcase on 29 October 2007.  Mehmet also won the University of Queensland School of Engineering’s Excellence in Teaching Award.  Dr Kizil has also been nominated for 2008 Carrick Awards for Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Students Learning.  Way to go Mehmet!

There are many reasons to choose MEA for studying Mining Engineering. Firstly MEA is a world class, industry endorsed course that offers you the chance to travel, gain industry experience along with good job prospects at the end of your course. MEA provides the most flexible programs possible including the opportunity for students to transfer between MEA universities. Students get the opportunity to study in Western Australia , Queensland , New South Wales
or a combination of all. There is also the option of completing studies at the one location.

Transfer From Your Existing Degree
As part of the flexible structure of MEA, students who have completed two years of a suitable engineering degree and meet entry requirements, can transfer into an MEA course and graduate as a Mining Engineer after just two years of study in Australia. This provides the opportunity for civil or mechanical engineering students to specialise in mining and take advantage of a booming industry that is short on engineers and excellent starting salaries.

Industry Experience While You Study
Industry vacation work is part of the mining culture in Australia and industry make over 600 vacation placements available for students. Vacation work and Experience placements not only enhance learning but also provide pathways to professional employment after studying.

Eligibility
Students must be a 2nd year mining student or have completed a two year program of study or courses of a similar nature to those in the mining program. It is possible to undertake a double degree please check with each university as to specific requirements.

A VIRTUAL reality system developed at the University of NSW has overcome a classic conundrum for the coal industry: how to provide realistic training for emergencies which does not put people at risk.

The project has required collaboration from mining engineers, artists and computer scientists, and Coal Services Pty Ltd has signed a $5 million deal to buy the software and four of its 360-degree cinemas. A smaller 160-degree version of the system is in use at the Argenton mine near Newcastle.

Virtual Reality Keeps Miners Out of Risk

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