Thiess News, Volume 1, 2000

University of Queensland (continued)
Key programs that will be implemented through
the SLP this year are:
• Learning in Context
Thiess Mining will host a total of 15 third or
fourth-year Engineering students at Burton,
South Walker Creek and Mt Owen Mines for
periods of three months. The students will gain
real experience counted towards their degrees,
while studying with the University via the
internet. The pilot group of students began on
the Queensland sites in February.
• Recognition Pathways
This programme is specifically designed to
recognise the practical knowledge and experience
of Thiess people who have extensive “on-the-job”
skills but not necessarily a tertiary education.
Employees will be able to earn credits towards
Australian Qualifications Framework
qualifications, such as the Diploma or Advanced
Diploma in Project Management. This will open
up new opportunities for career planning and
recognition.
• Flexible Learning Opportunities
Thiess people Australia-wide will be able to
access distance and flexible learning opportunities
through UQ’s extensive resource learning
materials. These include the Engineering and
Physical Sciences Library - known as the Cybrary
due to its extensive use of electronic media -
and learning delivery methodologies such as
web-based systems.
A significant future initiative is the planned
foundation of a Thiess/UQ Chair in Engineering
Education later this year, subject to formal
assessment of the proposal’s benefits.
The SLP will also enhance the existing Thiess
Innovation Program by providing R&D support,
as well as assistance in benchmarking and reporting
on best practice initiatives.
The main points of contact with the University
will be the Sir James Foots Institute and the
Technology Management Centre, both of which
are within the Faculty of Engineering, though
other UQ services will provide support and
resources.
As an additional link between the organisations,
Ian Johnson from Thiess Corporate Human
Resources, and Terry Bulmer and Paul Forghani
from Technical Services have been appointed
Adjunct Professors to the Technology
Management Centre.
The SLP is being managed through a Project
Control Group comprising representatives
from both Thiess and the University. Thiess
representatives include Ian Johnson, Terry Bulmer,
and Murray Fox from Queensland Mining.
Thiess is proud to be part of this landmark
development in industry-academic exchange.
Thiess Innovation
Thiess News Volume 1 2000 3