Development of a Joint University (Virtual) Institute for Applied Geosciences NGL Science Meeting - Oskarshamn, 7-8 th of November NGL, Oskarshamn, November 2013 Lars O. Ericsson 1, Chin-Fu Tsang 2, Auli Niemi 2, and Gia Destouni 3 1 Chalmers University of Technology 2 Uppsala University 3 Stockholm University 1

NGL, Oskarshamn, November The School of NGL - A vision of an education centre in applied geosciences The School of Athens Photo: Lars O. Ericsson

NGL, Oskarshamn, November Gerolamo da Verrazzano, 1529, Vatican Museum. Photo: Lars O. Ericsson, 2013 Äspö

Globally unique Impressive RD&D infrastructure for Applied Geosciences Extraordinary possibilities for understanding of Subsurface Natural Sciences Geoscientifically outstanding possibilities on development of Civil and Environmental Engineering in ancient Shield Regions Data base of advanced experimental techniques and modeling results from multi-disciplinary studies in the field of geosciences NGL, Oskarshamn, November Background

The goal of the proposed Joint University Institute: to develop up-to-date courses for the training of geoscientists who will be properly equipped to address important geosciences-related problems facing the society Such emphasis is very much lacking in current geoscience education in all the major universities in the world NGL, Oskarshamn, November 20136

Geosciences-related problems facing the society? Underground construction issues, Climatic change CO 2 geosequestration Geoenergy development Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Environmental pollution to nuclear and toxic chemical waste disposal Groundwater supply, coastal areas and more.. etc NGL, Oskarshamn, November 20137

Organizational set-up Virtual institute, with MS education conducted at major universities in Sweden with complementary set of courses (elective), and part of these courses will be held at the NGL facility at Oskarshamn offer deeper study courses of reasonable duration – branch specific or PhD courses – SIDA? NGL, Oskarshamn, November Ideas: broaden up cooperation with SBU, Swedish Universities of the Built Environment ?

NGL, Oskarshamn, November Topics of Applied Science Design Layout Construct. Working env. Risk and Performance Assessments Biosphere: Data Conditions Models Decision Analysis Communication of Geoscientific Results Geoscientific models

NGL, Oskarshamn, November Types of courses to be developed

1)Conventional courses, – geology, geophysics, glaciology, hydrogeology, rock mechanics and surface hydrology, – emphasis towards new techniques and data from NGL and towards solving a major, site-specific, long- term problem NGL, Oskarshamn, November

(modified from Ge, et al. 2003) Biological changes NGL, Oskarshamn, November ) Double-disciplinary courses, – integration of hydrogeology and geochemistry, – integration of rock mechanics and hydrogeology – integration of microbiology and hydrogeochemistry, – Etc, etc

3) System-integrative courses – on the development of so-called “Site Descriptive Models”, – process models – predictive models – back-modeling in palaeohydrology and palaeogeochemistry – uncertainty analyses NGL, Oskarshamn, November

4) Courses on communication of geoscientific results with the public and decision makers, – including how to formulate the geoscience results in a broader context and proper perspective NGL, Oskarshamn, November Photo: SKB

Wishes Transparent user friendly data base, Updated Geological model of Äspö HRL Accommodation facilities Lecture rooms NGL, Oskarshamn, November

Financial conditions? Erasmus + Faculty financing from Government? VR (the Swedish Research Council)? FORMAS? Branch organizations? ????? NGL, Oskarshamn, November

NGL, Oskarshamn, November Sankta Barbara, från Wikipedia Thank you!