Curtin Uni has a strong relationship with industry says Harlene Hayne

Curtin University vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne says the university is backing the mining of critical minerals for sustainable energy.

Curtin University vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne says the university is backing the mining of critical minerals for sustainable energy.

Curtin University vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne believes three factors have helped boost the university’s rising research performance.

One is the history of the university, which goes back to the Western Australian School of Mines. “For a long time, we have been ranked second in the world in mining and mining engineering, and you know we’ve been ranked first in Australia for a very long time.”

Now, she says, Curtin is adapting this expertise to the mining of critical minerals “which are the key really to a cleaner, greener future for Australia and for the rest of the world”.

And the university is also investing in related areas which are becoming increasingly important to mining technology, such as data science.

Hayne says the second factor is her university’s deliberate decision not to chasing rankings, “instead focusing on the big problems that are facing the world that we can address”.

“The largest contribution is obviously right now around energy and energy transition, and the mining that will be required for that.”

She says the final factor is the university’s determination to work closely with industry.

“That strong relationship with industry has, I think, allowed us to both identify and solve some of the wicked problems that are facing the industries in our region, particularly in Western Australia, where mining is such a fundamental part of our economy.”

Hayne says university staff are strongly encouraged to engage with industry.

“Our students have been the great beneficiaries of that because, while they’re studying here, they get the opportunity to have really industry-engaged experiences. They get a lot of exposure to hi-tech.”

Curtin University leads in nine fields of research: Civil Engineering; Geochemistry & Mineralogy; Geology; Mathematical Analysis; Mathematical Optimisation; Mining & Mineral Resources; Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas; Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics; Structural Engineering.