UQ and the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) have renewed their joint focus on the Queensland minerals and energy sector’s continuing need for skilled employees and world-class research.
The University and the peak industry body this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) addressing skills shortages and research collaboration. The signing took place ahead of the UQ 2009 Business Reception, hosted by Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield.
“This is an excellent time for UQ, the QRC and its member companies to ensure our important relationships grow and continue into the future,” Professor Greenfield said.
“UQ is about to begin a $100 million revitalisation of its engineering precinct, and the partnerships bolstered by this QRC alliance will reinforce the impact of Federal/Queensland Government funds that are supporting the new precinct.
“The future of UQ’s contributions to the industries that underpin regional, state and national economies will depend not just on state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, but also on collaborations such as those that will emerge from this agreement.”
Chief Executive of the QRC Michael Roche said that despite the global recession, skills shortages still exist, and this will become increasingly evident as global demand for minerals and energy commodities starts to rebound.
‘It’s in the interests of all Queenslanders to ensure that we are not caught short for the next upturn, while at the same time providing new and exciting career opportunities for bright young people,’ said Mr Roche.
The QRC-UQ agreement supports the QRC’s vision to collaborate with selected mission-lead universities in Queensland to concentrate scarce resources and teaching talent.
Mr Roche said the recently completed Bradley Review of Higher Education in Australia was a pointer to the future.
"Mission-lead universities not only enhance the alignment between education and research outcomes for the resources sector but also increase the quality of student education experiences," he said.
"The QRC and its member companies remain committed to supporting secondary and tertiary education and training."
Mr Roche said that with the sector’s workforce continuing to age and in expectation that retirements will accompany economic recovery, demand for skills would rise steadily again.
"Our industries are global. Australian-qualified and experienced personnel will always be in demand for planning projects and operating sites around the world," he said.
UQ recently joined forces with mining companies and researchers at the Mining Innovation: ‘Mine of the Future’ Forum.
More information: Caroline Morrissey, Communications Adviser E carolinem@qrc.org.au
T (07) 3316 2507 M 0417 770 893.
UQ: Fiona Kennedy (07) 3365 1384
.jpg)
