26 June 2009
One of the most advanced science laboratories in Australia was officially launched today by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Kim Carr.
The $1 million Earth Sciences Teaching Laboratory will provide students with the latest in high-tech learning, giving them access to next-generation computer modelling and microscope technology.
Geosciences Head of School Professor Ray Cas said the new teaching facilities were an exciting development in education with students being able to learn in laboratories that provide them with as close to first-hand experience in mining and other geological settings.
"The laboratory is the most advanced facility of its kind in Australia and the technology it employs is at the cutting-edge internationally," Professor Cas said.
Professor Cas said the laboratory also had the capacity to teach at a microscopic scale via the linking of microscopes with the smart screens.
"This will enable students to have elite training in mineralogy and mineral optics and allow academic staff to demonstrate linkages between processes at the micro-scale with progressively larger scale processes, right up to the scale of the solar system," Professor Cas said.
"Geosciences is a rapidly-changing area of expertise. The new laboratory will allow Monash to teach the next generation of geoscientists in a way that is compatible with current industry practice.
"By bringing the skill set of the next generation of geoscientists up to the level currently practiced in the industry, the laboratory will ultimately facilitate improved collaboration between academic geoscientists and industry."
Monash Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Adam Shoemaker said the University's School of Geosciences was charged with educating and training geologists and geophysicists who would continue to contribute to Australia's scientific and economic well-being in the future.
"The Earth Sciences Teaching Laboratory exemplifies the University's strong commitment to innovative e-Education as part of the Monash Passport. It will be a vital resource for training a new wave of geology, geophysics and environmental geosciences students at Monash," Professor Shoemaker said.
"It will contribute to the vitality of earth sciences in the higher education sector through the provision of highly-trained undergraduate students qualified to pursue research careers, and equip our minerals and resources industries with a new generation of innovative, technology-literate earth science professionals."
For more information contact Samantha Blair, Media and Communications +61 3 9903 4841.
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