Rio, UWA sign $3m partnership

Mining giant Rio Tinto has signed a $3 million partnership with the University of Western Australia aimed at increasing supply of graduates for the mining industry.

Rio said the agreement was the first in a series with international universities, as it establishes a worldwide network to develop and appropriate skills base.

UWA vice-chancellor Paul Johnson said the new agreement was an extension of a long and productive relationship with Rio Tinto.

“This partnership will provide a diverse group of scholars with access to real-life work environments and work experience, and increase the university’s attractiveness to potential students,” Professor Johnson said.

“Increasing the number of scholarships will take UWA closer to being counted among the top 50 universities in the world by 2050.”

Rio Tinto executive director Sam Walsh said the partnership would increase the company’s access to quality graduates and post-graduates seeking mining industry careers.