AGEMERA present at the TERRA conference in Germany
We are happy to have participated in the first edition of the TERRA conference exploring future challenges in the raw materials sector
No rest for the wicked! Or, in our case, for the raw materials experts and enthusiasts... Two weeks ago, our partners, TU Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF) and the Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), joined the first European Conference on TEaching and Research in Sustainable Resource ExtrAction (in short: TERRA), in Boppard, a town on the Rhine river, in the west of Germany. The event was organised by the Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering (MRE) of the RWTH Aachen University between 6 and 8 September.
It has become increasingly clear that, to satisfy the demand for raw materials and strengthen the EU's competitiveness and strategic resilience, we not only need to boost the (local) raw materials production, but we also need a pool of skilled mining engineering graduates, who can plan and operate the mines of the future taking into account environmental issues and social responsibility. However, attracting students to this sector has proven to be quite difficult, perhaps also because of the poor perception mining has in society. If we want to achieve the targets of the Green Deal, it is imperative to reverse this trend and provide better lectures and courses under a new curriculum that reflects the rapid technological developments and the new ways in which we relate to the industry.
On this note, in preparation for the innovative AGEMERA lecture that will be launched in the first trimester of 2024, our colleagues at TUBAF evaluated courses on mining engineering education provided by universities in the EU, for undergraduate level (Bachelor's) and graduate level (Master, Dipl.-Ing and Diploma) level. Their evaluation of these courses focused on the implementation of contents related to future challenges of the raw materials sector. At the TERRA conference, they presented the first results of the teachers and used the opportunity to connect with mining scientists and academics from Europe, sharing achievements, challenges and aspirations.
As for our team at TalTech, their presentations focused on the various skills (hard and soft) that a future mining and geology engineer needs to find solutions to the problems that the mining sector faces. They also presented the CircPro course, an online open course for students around the globe.
It was an exciting event, with the conference programme including keynote speeches, talks, and posters, as well as presentations on funding opportunities for teaching and research collaborations. It reunited mining academics and their selected students from various countries in Europe (Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Spain, Sweden, UK)
For more details, you can check out our colleague's article on LinkedIn here.
