Posted on April 14, 2021
The Department of Mining Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology at the University of Pretoria (UP) is proud to celebrate its diamond anniversary in 2021. With its history of 60 years of excellence in mining engineering education, the Department plays a significant role in mining teaching and learning, and research at UP, as well as industry reskilling, and contributes new ways of innovating for the future.
Since its establishment in 1961, it has contributed greatly to the mining industry by providing world-class mining engineering leaders. As a specialised discipline, it has grown steadily over the years into a leading department of mining engineering in South Africa and the African continent.
Prof Sunil Maharaj, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, is proud of the achievements of the Department and the important contribution it makes to the country’s mining industry. “Its innovative teaching practices and relevant research are highly regarded by industry, while its alumni are among the country’s captains of industry.”
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This celebration coincides with the recognition of UP as one of the top 50 universities in the world in minerals and mining engineering according to the QS World University Subject Rankings for 2021. According to Head of Department, Prof Ronny Webber-Youngman, this is a reflection of the Department’s overarching goal of enabling the mining industry to transition from being reactive and compliant to becoming resilient in issues related to mining innovation, safety, health, environmental sustainability, social responsibility and community management through well-structured and committed undergraduate and postgraduate education and research.
A number of celebratory events are being planned for 2021, culminating in a gala dinner and Mining Engineering Golf Day in the first week of November 2021, pending the national lockdown restrictions applicable at that time. A commemorative publication is also being prepared, which chronicles the development and highlights of the Department over the past 60 years.
For more information on collaborating with the Department during this momentous year, please contact Prof Ronny Webber-Youngman at [email protected].
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