Education
Program Highlights of 2006-2007
- Facelift for Successful Student Research Program Reflects
Industry Involvement
The
Student-Industry Research Program (formerly named the Summer Jobs Program)
run over the 2006-2007 Australian summer university vacation again provided
young and talented science undergraduate students with an experience
of hydrometallurgical research. The successful applicants are partnered
with Parker Centre researchers who are recognised as world leaders in
hydrometallurgical research. A total of A$67,500 was provided by the
industry sponsors of this year’s summer program: Alcan, BHP Billiton,
Minara Resources, Rio Tinto and Zinifex. Their support enabled ten local
and international students, from as far afield as South Africa and Brazil,
to participate in industry-scoped projects directly relevant to current
research directions.
Mr Cameron White , one of the participants in the 2006-2007 Summer Student-Industry Research Program, presenting his research at the Student Symposium in February 2007.
The success of the Centre’s undergraduate student research program is evidenced by the fact that 50% of the participants in the programs held over the past two summers have had their career choice influenced by the experience, going on to Honours, PhD or to work as hydrometallurgical researchers.
- Workshop Exploring the Benefits of eLearning Received Very
Positive Feedback
A successful Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Education & Training Managers’ Workshop was held in Perth on 16 May 2007 as part of the 2007 CRC Association Conference. The workshop was convened by Dr Jane Rosser, the Parker Centre’s Education Program Manager. In a program that varied considerably in format from previous workshops, the topic of eLearning (electronic learning, ie computer-enhanced learning) and its role in, and implication for, education and training in CRCs was explored. Perspectives from within CRCs, from secondary and tertiary educators and from industry eLearning software and services designers/providers were presented to an audience of over 40 participants.
- Centre’s PhD Student Numbers Increase in the Face of
Global Trend
In the light of the widely recognised reduced numbers of students studying science at secondary and tertiary levels in general, and tertiary level chemistry and extractive metallurgy specifically, the Parker Centre’s global approach to student sourcing and support at undergraduate and postgraduate levels is apparently starting to pay dividends. Strong industry support and some innovative approaches to student funding have seen postgraduate numbers increasing in the later half of the 2006-2007 period. Five new PhD students have commenced with the Centre in the past two quarters, three being international students.
Education Program Highlights of 2005-2006
Education Program Highlights of 2004-2005
Education Program Highlights of 2003-2004
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