The globally-respected Western Australian School of Mines campus in Kalgoorlie will inevitably be closed unless far reaching changes are made, some of the school's most prominent graduates have warned.
The globally-respected Western Australian School of Mines campus in Kalgoorlie will inevitably be closed unless far reaching changes are made, some of the school's most prominent graduates have warned.
The globally-respected Western Australian School of Mines campus in Kalgoorlie will inevitably be closed unless far reaching changes are made, some of the school's most prominent graduates have warned.
The WASM's Graduate Association, which includes many of Australia's most successful mining executives among its members, said a taskforce comprising representatives of the mining industry, operator Curtin University and the WA government was needed urgently to identify the problems and find solutions.
President of the Graduate Association Tony James, who is also a senior executive with Avoca Resources, said the number of students studying at the school's Kalgoorlie campus was unsustainably low and it faced closure unless significant changes were made to the current operating model.
Over the past 100 years, more than 2,500 WASM graduates have made a significant contribution to the growth of the state's resources industry. Traditionally, the core ingredient in WASM qualifications was the exposure to the mining industry in Kalgoorlie. The graduates strongly believe this value needs to continue in the sustainable WASM model.
Mr James said one of the key issues which needed addressing was the high cost to Curtin of educating students at the school's Kalgoorlie campus, the lack of desire among students to study in Kalgoorlie and the creation of a sustainable long-term plan for WASM that involved all the relevant stakeholders.
The mining industry also needed to better promote the career benefits of studying at the Kalgoorlie campus and examine whether increased financial incentives were needed to lure students to the Goldfields.
"The WA School of Mines is respected by mining industry leaders around the world," Mr James said.
"The WASM brand and reputation originates from studying in the heart of a world-class mining region such as Kalgoorlie.. Students are given unique opportunities to gain invaluable hands-on work experience and also learn about living in a regional community.
"These opportunities will be lost to future generations and the mining industry will be deprived of the skills and value a WASM graduate offers."
Mr James urged all the relevant stakeholders, including Curtin University, the federal and state governments and senior mining industry representatives, to set up a taskforce to assess the issues and devise a strategy aimed ensuring this world-class asset was not lost.