UOW Engineering students awarded for being at the top

Nov 10, 2004

Three Mining Engineering students at the University of Wollongong have recently been named recipients of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) Education Endowment Funds Awards for 2004.

 The AusIMM awards the top student of each year of any Australasian course, recognised by the Institute for Academic Excellence.

 The recipients from UOW are Hamish Kerr, Thomas Secheny and Brad Prytherch. This year’s prize included free membership to the institute for 2005.

 Head of UOW’s School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, Professor Brian Uy (pictured), said that Hamish is one of the most outstanding students enrolled in the Mining Engineering program.

 Hamish will complete his four-year degree at the end of the year after excelling in subjects ranging from broad engineering principles to a variety of mining subjects including engineering computing, mine ventilation, mining methods, mining economics and management.

 “I have thoroughly enjoyed both the learning as well as the social aspects of university. I’ve had fun being an active member of the AusIMM Illawarra Student Chapter -- it’s taught me a lot,” Hamish said.

 Last year, Hamish worked for three months in Germany at Neuhof Underground Potash Mine owned by Kali und Salz. A majority of his time was spent working with the underground exploration drilling crew, the mine ventilation officer, surveyors, electricians and supervisors. Hamish said that while he didn’t speak any German at the beginning of his trip, his language skills have improved dramatically.

 “I’m can now speak fluent German and also miner’s slang,” he joked.

 Hamish has since had various job offers including graduate programs with Roche, Thiess, BMA, Xstrata and Rio Tinto mining companies. He has chosen to accept a two-year program with Xstrata Company, which involves at least two site placements at open cut coal and underground coal operations.

 “I will most likely be based in the Hunter Valley, although Xstrata has coal mines in Newcastle and Lithgow as well,” Hamish said.

-RP