SME to launch mining schools initiative
The Education Sustainability Committee of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) announced the launch of an initiative “to mitigate the challenges threatening the long-term viability of U.S. mining schools offering degrees in mining engineering, mineral processing or extractive metallurgy,” says the organization.
SME’s main concerns center around faculty vacancies and labor deficiencies associated with retirements.
The initiative includes two directives: Ph.D. Fellowship and Academic Career Development Grants. The Ph.D. fellowship will provide financial support for candidates with industry experience that would like to pursue a doctor degree in mining engineering, mineral processing or extractive metallurgy at a U.S. accredited university. The fellowship will support three graduate students, and three additional students will be added each subsequent year.
The Academic Career Development Grants will provide tenure-track assistant or associate professors with financial support needed to participate in research, publication and professional service. The program will support two junior faculty members, with two faculty members added each subsequent year.
According to SME, the program will be giving $1.4 million in grants annual. The 2015 application period is from April 1 to April 30.