Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia 1 MTEC Minerals Tertiary Education Council Australia Dr Marcin Ziemski University of Queensland, Australia

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia2 Australian Minerals Industry in 1998 Identified a prevailing skills shortage Earth sciences (geology, geomechanics etc) Earth sciences (geology, geomechanics etc) Mining engineering Mining engineering Metallurgical engineering Metallurgical engineering Something needed to be done

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia3 Australian Minerals Industry in 1998 Something needed to be done: + Australian minerals industry industry MTEC: Mineral Tertiary Education Council Government and industry supported Partnered with Australia’s leading universities

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia4 MTEC Minerals Tertiary Education Council History and more background History and more background MTEC aims MTEC aims MTEC activities since 1999 MTEC activities since 1999 Evolution of MTEC Evolution of MTEC –Earth sciences –Mining engineering –Metallurgical engineering Discussion and insights Discussion and insights

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia5 MTEC History and more background The need Skills shortage Skills shortage Many programs on the brink of closure Many programs on the brink of closure –Exacerbating skills shortage –Considered important economically but…  Small student numbers  Universities under increasing financial pressures

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia6 MTEC History and more background Firm funding commitment from government and industry Firm funding commitment from government and industry Universities applied to be involved on a competitive basis Universities applied to be involved on a competitive basis –Earth sciences: 6 –Mining engineering:3 –Metallurgical engineering:4 (now 3)

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia7 MTEC Aims and objectives Secure the long term sustainability of minerals education in Australia to support its industry Who? Who? –Government, industry and universities How? How? –Increase student numbers –Collaborate in teaching and reduce education costs –State of the art education programs

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia8 MTEC Activities Achieving the aims MTEC I : improve sustainability Increase income Increase income –Increase student numbers –Marketing and promotion Decrease costs – reduce program running costs Decrease costs – reduce program running costs –Use of common, shared materials –Generated new teaching/learning materials to share –‘Expert’ university in each field developed materials –Innovative, flexible delivery – industry driven

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia9 MTEC Teaching/learning materials developed Videos Videos Interactive web based learning activities Interactive web based learning activities –simulators, design activities CD based interactive learning activities CD based interactive learning activities Web and CD based multi-media learning tools Web and CD based multi-media learning tools ‘I-lectures’ ‘I-lectures’ –pre-recorded lectures available on CD or internet Traditional lecture notes Traditional lecture notes Traditional lecture presentation resources Traditional lecture presentation resources –Powerpoint slides or equivalent Course workbooks Course workbooks –self paced learning activities, case studies and assignments

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia10 MTEC II – since 2002/03 Establish long term sustainability by: Fostering collaboration Fostering collaboration Using the prepared resources effectively Using the prepared resources effectively

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia11 MTEC – Earth science Collaboration mostly at postgraduate level –Why?  Large group (6 unis) made it easier  Much earth science occurs at p/grad level anyway –‘G3 masters’ p/g program highly successful  Collaborative p/g program across several universities –Some funds used for travel (lecturers and students) –Success in p/g has helped u/g programs

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia12 MTEC – Mining engineering Radical change in mining engineering across Australia Radical change in mining engineering across Australia Identical 3 rd and 4 th year curriculum across 3+ universities Identical 3 rd and 4 th year curriculum across 3+ universities Highly collaborative – Mining Engineering Australia (MEA) Highly collaborative – Mining Engineering Australia (MEA)

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia13 MTEC – Metallurgical engineering Initially collaboration limited Until recently – sharing MTEC I materials in courses Until recently – sharing MTEC I materials in courses Lost one member university to closure Lost one member university to closure New direction in 2005 with NCMS National Collaborative Metallurgy School NCMS - driven by collaborative proposals from lecturers and students

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia14 MTEC – Metallurgical engineering NCMS Greater collaboration project variety Greater collaboration project variety More control for staff to do projects they want to do. More control for staff to do projects they want to do. Less prescriptive in types of activities. Less prescriptive in types of activities. Directly engages students in cooperative pursuits. Directly engages students in cooperative pursuits. Gives students more control over their learning experience Gives students more control over their learning experience – joint field trips already in the planning stage

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia15 Summary of MTEC projects

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia16 Insights MTEC – forced collaboration between traditionally competing entities Complicated by the presence of academics ‘getting academics to work together is like trying to herd cats’

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia17 Insights ! Shared educational materials issues –Why should I use them? –What’s wrong with what I have? –How will it help me? –Fair enough too! ! Successful collaboration needs more than $$ –Needs to provide an advantage

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia18 MTEC MTEC has proved very successful MTEC has proved very successful Disciplines have approached collaboration differently Disciplines have approached collaboration differently Industry is very happy with MTEC’s achievements Industry is very happy with MTEC’s achievements The minerals industry and related education is looking healthier in Australia The minerals industry and related education is looking healthier in Australia

Dr Marcin Ziemski - University of Queensland, Australia19 Questions please