CQUni earns 'best presentation' awards at mining event in Russia
Published on 06 May, 2013
CQUniversity has picked up two out of the five available 'best scientist presentation' awards during a conference hosted by the Mining University in St Petersburg, Russia.
Mackay-based academic Brendan Donnelly and Rockhampton-based academic Dr Nanjappa Ashwath visited Russia to present papers on mining and environmental protection. They were among more than 250 conference delegates representing 22 countries.
Their visit to St Petersburg reciprocated for a visit by Russian delegates who were invited by CQUniversity last year.
At the time, CQUniversity academic Dr Andy Hammond brought together a group of scientists who gave presentations to the Russian delegates in Brisbane. CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman also addressed the delegates and welcomed the Russians to collaborate with CQUniversity for student exchange and research.
In return, the Vice Rector of the Mining University invited CQUniversity academics to attend the annual Mining Conference in St Petersburg, which was held during late April.
Mr Donnelly and Assoc Prof Ashwath not only presented at the conference but also had the chance to visit laboratories at the Mining University, which include highly sophisticated equipment for geotechnology and nanotechnology. Formed in 1773, Mining University has a world-renowned geology museum including the world's deepest soil core (from 3000m down) and the largest gold nugget and diamond.
"The mining conference is a very popular event as undergraduate and postgraduate students and scientists present their work in this conference every year," Assoc Prof Ashwath said.
The Mining University conference in progress
"However, this conference is mostly attended by European delegates (Poland, Germany, France, UK), so the Mining University is keen to attract delegates from Australia in the future events.
"Mining University is keen to collaborate with us in future student exchanges and research."
