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Student-Industry
Research Program for Undergraduate University Students | |
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Ten students (a mix of second to fourth year students) worked as research assistants in the Parker Centre's newly badged Student-Industry Research Program for around ten weeks over the 2006-2007 summer. This was the fourth year that the Centre has run its research program over the Australian summer university vacation. "The industry sponsors this year were Alcan International, BHP Billiton, Minara Resources, Rio Tinto and Zinifex, and the Parker Centre also sponsored two students,” says Education Program Manager Dr Jane Rosser. “I’d also like to acknowledge CSIRO Minerals, Curtin University and Murdoch University as sponsors as well because they provided in-kind support such as supervisors and materials.” Alcan funded two students as did BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, while Minara Resources and Zinifex each sponsored one student. The students worked with Parker Centre researchers at CSIRO Minerals and at Curtin and Murdoch universities. The program had an international flavour for the third year running, with the participation of a Brazilian student (Jose Dumont) from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais and two South African students from the University of Cape Town (Sarah Chikuku and Rilwele Kutama). Sarah and Rilwele took part in the program through the collaborative relationship between the Centre and the University of Cape Town. “Jose started his project late but will be here until August working with Professor Mike Nicol as part of his chemical engineering degree,” says Dr Rosser. |
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The presentations by the students on their research work over the summer included three talks on alumina-related research, four on base metals-related research and three covering research in the gold area. Two prizes were presented following the talks. “Congratulations to Sarah Chikuku who won the prize for best research and to Darryl Naidu who won the best oral presentation prize,” Dr Rosser says. "Many thanks to our three judges: Professor Kate Wright, Dr Mark Schapper from the Parker Centre’s Board and Dr Gerald Roach who is Alcoa World Alumina's Technical Manager, Extraction Technology.” Feedback from the students and their supervisors on their experience over the summer included the following comments: Sarah Chikuku said that Dr Franca Jones, one of her supervisors, was great and that she learnt a lot from her. She also said that Dr Mitch Loan, another of her supervisors, provided a detailed industry perspective. Another student said the program provided a great opportunity in learning new things, while another said it allowed for considerable networking opportunities. "The students got to really experience an in-depth exposure to research work in very good research areas," said Rilwele Kutama. "This was very beneficial. The program is awesome. I really enjoyed it." "The program benefited me greatly due to a chance to experience the reality of a job in chemistry, as well as providing important research to industry," said Cameron White. Comments from Parker Centre members included: Dr Robbie McDonald said the program enabled research in areas that normally aren't addressed because the time isn't available, and noted the encouraging industry response. Associate Professor Mark Ogden (who was a co-supervisor of one of the students) said the program was beneficial for all parties involved. "I received some very strong endorsements of the program from industry and researchers," said Parker Centre CEO Mark Woffenden. |
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The program will get even more exotic in a few months time with the migration south of four Russian students who will winter-over here during their Northern Hemisphere summer university vacation. BHP Billiton is one company backing this initiative and a BHP Billiton representative has recently interviewed prospective candidates to select the four successful students. The plan is to also target students from India next year. “The aim is to create a connection with these overseas students so that they have a knowledge of the Parker Centre and the universities here and links with industry here,” says Dr Rosser. “The long-term goal is to increase the pool that we’ve got available to research and industry in Australia.” |
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Student Symposium February 2007: Student Biographies (2.3 KB) | |
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Article about the 2005-2006 Summer Jobs Program | |
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