News @ UOW
Opinions & Experts
Multimedia
Campus News & Events
Resources
Chileans to sign occupational hygiene agreement
A delegation from the University of Antofagasta in Northern Chile is visiting UOW this week and will tomorrow (Wednesday 30 September) sign the first Memorandum of Understanding between UOW and another university in the education area of occupational health and safety.
The long-term aim is for the University of Wollongong’s Master of Science (Occupational Hygiene Practice) to be replicated in Chile next year. The degree is the only program accredited by the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists and the British Occupational Hygiene Society and was one of the main reasons the University of Antofagasta sought UOW’s assistance.
Industries are increasingly keen to develop their personnel in the area of occupational hygiene which is the recognition, evaluation and control of those contaminants and processes hazardous to workers in the industrial environment.
The overall visit was prompted by BHP Billiton in Melbourne. BHP Billiton asked the University of Antofagasta (Antofagasta is the regional capital in Northern Chile and is the supply centre of the Chilean mining industry) to work with UOW to offer the Master of Science in Occupational Hygiene Practice.
The degree is along the lines of what the University currently offers through its School of Health Sciences. BHP Billiton has major mining projects in the Antofagasta area including one of the largest copper mines in the world at Escondida.
“We have been singled out to assist because BHP Billiton knows our school’s program and recommend it to their Australian-based Occupational Hygiene graduate trainees as meeting their educational requirements,” according to Occupational Health and Safety Academic Program Co-ordinator, Associate Professor Brian Davies.
Several years ago, UOW was chosen as the only university in Australia to present a pilot course into hazardous substances management -- the first time this specialist training course had been offered outside the United Kingdom.
Media please note:
A photo/filming opportunity is a meeting between the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Joe Chicharo with the Chilean delegates at 11am on Wednesday 30 September.
Venue: Vice-Chancellor’s Meeting Room, top floor of Administration Building (Bldg 36).
For further information contact Associate Professor Brian Davies on 4221 4438 or mobile 0407 287 406 (m).