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A ROADMAP FOR MINERALS PROCESSING EDUCATION
Industrial Advisory Boards – must be proactive with Departments
Graduates – must be hired permanently by Mining and Metallurgical
Industries
Students – must be hired as interns by Mining and Metallurgical
Industries
Alumni – must help keep IAB members up to date on technology
Faculty – must work with constituents to keep up with changing
industrial needs
In terms of the inputs from Faculty, this includes having hands-on courses
(M&ME requires 14 labs of which 6 are in M&ME). Although this makes
education expensive it delivers a much better outcome.
Having as many technical electives at graduate level as possible means
that you will be prepared for a reduction in credit requirements, and also
that you prepare students for Graduate School.
Finally, be innovative! Get industry in the classroom or bring the classroom
to industry. Montana Tech has had great success with this including guest
lectures, field trips (particularly early in program) and seminars and guest
lectures (use long distance learning). Two highly successful examples are:
Fire Assay – short course format that industry also takes
Gold Processing – Newmont personnel offer expertise in 30% of course
Conclusions
Like many schools around the world, Montana Tech is under significant
strain. However, the school is delivering a successful program and we
believe our strategy is setting us up for survival in the long term.
References
1. www.abet.org
Montana Tech: Perspectives of a Small 153
Specialty School
