Raw Matters Ambassadors at Schools
Duration: 01/2018 – 03/2024
RM@Schools focusses on an innovative programme to make science education and careers in the Raw Materials sector attractive for students aged between 10-19. An active learning is proposed to schools by Raw Materials Ambassadors (experts in some Raw Materials-related issues and trained teachers) by involving students in experiments with Raw Materials-related hands-on educational kits, in excursions in industries, and in science dissemination activities.
The students will be required and challenged to become Young Raw Materials Ambassadors themselves (science communicators) and create dissemination products (i.e. videos, cards, experiments, etc.) focused on issues related to Raw Materials: 1. Exploration, 2. Mining, 3. Metallurgy, 4. Recycling, 5. Substitution of critical raw materials and 6. Circular Economy.
An annual competition is organised by and hosted at Montanuniversität Leoben. Here schools from all over Austria may take part to present their projects, and their roles as young RM Ambassadors.
The school(s) with the best communication product will receive the opportunity to represent Austria at the annual European Conference in Bologna, Italy, together with delegates (students and teachers) from schools all over Europe.
All products realised by the pupils are accessible online and available to be shared with a wider public.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), Aalto University, Alma Mater Studiorum – Universita di Bologna, ART-ER S. Cons. p a., Bay Zoltan Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research, Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, CEA, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), ERION, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Geological Survey of Slovenia (GeoZS), Geological Survey of Sweden – SGU, Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan – KTH, Politecnico di Milano, Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen – RWTH Aachen, Stichting Wetsus European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology (Wetsus), Tallinn University of Technology, TU Clausthal, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid – UPM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Università degli Studi di Milano – Bicocca, Université de Liège
Duration: 01/2020 – 12/2022
RM@Schools-ESEE focusses on an innovative programme to make science education and careers in RM attractive for young students, especially in the ESEE region. It is in line with RM@Schools 3.0, the flasgship programme for EIT Raw Materials and will share tools and activities with the latter. An active learning approach will be proposed to schools by RM Ambassadors (experts in some RM-related issues and trained teachers) by involving students in experiments with RM-related hands-on educational kits, in excursions to industries, and in science dissemination activities. The students will be asked to become Young RM Ambassadors themselves (science communicators) by creating dissemination products and/or collaborating with ewxperts during public events. All the produced materials and the best communication materials realised by students will be accessible online to be shared with a wider public.
New hands-on tools for supporting experimental activities at school will be set up and developed as well as successful educational tools realised in other projects will be used in the RM@Schools-ESEE network to share common benefits. Finally, some career orienting actions will be performed both at European and local level. International RM@Schools Summer Camps for the most motivated and interested students from all the partners’countries will be organised as well as local Career Orientation Days where RM@Schools students will interact directly with universities and companies to obtain information on job opportunities in the different sectors.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben, Lead), AGH University of Science and Technology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Foundation myclimate, Geological Survey of Sweden, National Technical University of Athens, Technical University of Kosice, Technische Universität Wien, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, University of Miskolc, University of Zagreb
Dubrovnik International ESEE Mining School
Duration: 04/2017 – 03/2025
The main objective of the project is knowledge transfer, as well as strengthening innovation capacities in the mining, recycling and waste management sectors. This is a lifelong learning project that will be implemented in close partnership with industry stakeholders in all project consortium countries.
During the years of project implementation, the following key topics were / are analyzed:
• 2017: Zero waste management
• 2018: Deep intelligent mining
• 2019: Small mining sites
• 2020: Recycling
• 2021: Innovation in Exploration
• 2022: Innovation in Orebody Characterization
• 2023: Innovation in Extraction
• 2024: Innovation in Ore Processing
The knowledge and skills gained at DIM aim at increasing the employability of mining engineers. In the long run, the programme will lead to an increase in sustainable mining and processing activities, which will result in economic growth and the creation of employment in respective countries.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), University of Zagreb, Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Dnipro University of Technology (NMU Ukraine), University of Miskolc, Technical University of Kosice, AGH University of Science and Technology, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Mining & Geology (UNIBG-RGF), University of Mining and Geology St. Ivan Rilski (Sofia)
Duration: 01/2019 – 12/2025
The project transfers tailor made successful programmes already implemented within EIT RawMaterials into the ESEE region, making these programmes available to those who have not yet become KIC partners or to individuals for the benefit of the innovativeness of the region. One programme is RACE, a learning journey for industrial R&D professionals organised by EIT RawMaterials and hosted by its industrial partners.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), Aalto University, CSIC (Spanish National Research Council), Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), AGH University of Science and Technology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), ERION, Geological Survey of Slovenia (GeoZS), Hub Innovazione Trentino – Fondazione (HIT), Kaunas University of Technology, KGHM Polska Miedz Spólka Akcyjna, LTU Business AB, MANTIS BUSINESS INNOVATION, National Technical University of Athens – NTUA, Occami B.V., Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen (RWTH Aachen), Riga Technical University, Tallinn University of Technology, Technical University of Kosice, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), Tecnalia Ventures, S.L., Sociedad Unipersonal, Trinity College Dublin, University of Banja Luka (UNiBL), University of Belgrade – Faculty of Mining & Geology (UNIBG-RGF), University of Mining and Geology St. Ivan Rilski, Sofia, University of Miskolc, University of Pannonia, University of Sarajevo, University of Tuzla, University of Zagreb – Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering (UNIZG-RGNF), University of Zenica, Metallurgical institute Kemal Kapetanović, ZAG (Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute)
EIT International Summer School “From dreging to deep-sea mining”
Duration: 01/2020 – 12/2022
Striving for independence from the import of Critical Raw Materials, the EU has made considerable investments towards reaching marine mineral resources. A European deep-sea mining industry would have a potential of creating a hundreds-billion market and thousands of new jobs. The current knowledge about deep-sea mining and particularly about the impact of mining activities on the marine environment is quite diversified and often contradictory. This is not conducive to the acceptance of seabed mining by society due to the absence of a clear and holistic picture of seabed mining and its possible environmental footprint.
The DSM-School project is aiming to become a platform for the elaboration and dissemination of knowledge in deep-sea mining to increase awareness of wider society on state-of-the-art mining technologies, recent investigations on the environmental impact of seabed mining activities, marine mineral resources, as well as economic, political, social and legislative aspects. The project will reach the wider society with communication tools such as a two-week summer school organized in Germany, the Netherlands and Norway, the Internet, and public events.
https://www.ntnu.edu/igp/dsm-summer-school
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (Chair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics), Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, IHC Mining B.V., Norwegian University of Science and Technology, STICHTING NEDERLANDSE WETENSCHAPPELIIJK ONDERZOEK INSTITUTEN, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Delft University of Technology
Development and implementation of EIT Raw Materials Master Programme(s) in Sustainable Materials
Duration: 01/2021 – 03/2025
The project IMAGINE involves a large consortium of universities with a solid educational research excellence based background in different aspects of materials processing and with an explicit interest in sustainability aspects of materials. The consortium proposes a ‘fast track’ pilot action involving the integration of 4 existing Master programs into an EIT label compatible pilot Master program on which the partners can build a joint final Master program. The SUMA master programmes started in September 2016 and developed into more study tracks since then. The Master programs will focus on materials processing and recycling, circular (eco)design, life cycle engineering and circular economy design, materials substitution, manufacturing, entrepreneurship and innovation and will mandatorily involve studies in two different institutions and am internship in a company.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy), AGH University of Science and Technology, Atlantic Copper S.L.U., Institut polytechnique de Grenoble (Grenoble Institute of Technology, INP), Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven (KU Leuven), UMICORE NV, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, UPM (Technical University of Madrid), Università degli Studi di Milano – Bicocca (University of Milano- Bicocca), Università degli Studi di Trento
Open ESEE – East & South-East Europe
Duration: 04/2018 – 03/2022
The aim of OpESEE (Open ESEE – East & South-East Europe) master’s degree program is to create highly qualified mechanical and process engineers from the ESEE region with a specialization in maintenance for raw materials services for the ESEE region. To avoid brain-drain and to improve the economic development of their home region it is very important that students stay and work in their home countries after having completed their high-quality education. The training focus not only on the transfer of technical know-how but also in the knowledge transfer of entrepreneurship and innovation. By developing real innovative business models students shall be encouraged to found their own start-up business. The aim is to use the full potential of creative ideas and inventions from the ESEE region and to make innovations happen where they have their origin.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), Liebherr-International AG, Dnipro University of Technology, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Ovidius University of Constanta, Technical University of Kosice, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Trinity College Dublin, University of Miskolc, University of Sarajevo
Mixed Reality Handbooks for Mining Education
Duration: 01/2019 – 12/2021
MiReBooks produces a series of Virtual & Augmented Reality based interactive mining handbooks as a new digital standard for higher mining education across Europe.
In the project “MiReBooks” a series of virtual and augmented reality-based (Mixed Reality, MR) interactive mining handbooks will be produced as a new digital standard for higher mining education throughout Europe. Many current challenges in mining education will be confronted in an innovative way, by combining classical paper-based teaching materials with MR materials and their transformation into pedagogically and didactically coherent MR handbooks for integrative classroom use. The approach will be used in the future also in other disciplines. With MiReBooks the way of teaching will change as instructors will be able to engage their students in a more effective way and offer them an enriched content repertoire as well as an increased comprehension opportunity.
The array of possible industrial mine environment examples that students can be immersed into becomes endless and thus the industry will receive graduates that are familiarized in-depth with a holistic view on the industrial context. Students will enter the job market skilled as digital natives and highly influence the way the industry will work and develop in this way in the future. Mixed Reality is certainly a most promising way to enable users to make the most of their learning experience and thus leverage the improvement of operational efficiencies and innovation.
Technically, the MiReBooks-assisted lectures will include Smartphones with a special App that allows the students to trigger additional information (3D images, videos) from augmented illustrations within the MiReBooks textbooks. In addition, with virtual reality goggles they will be able to immerse themselves into a virtual mining environment/3D-filmed sequence of a real mine process.
Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben, Lead), Epiroc Rock Drills, KGHM, LTU Business, Luleå University of Technology, LKAB, RWTH Aachen, Tallinn University of Technology, Technische Universität Graz, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, VTT – Technical Research Centre of Finland, Università degli Studi di Trento
Raw Materials Students Internships
Duration: 07/2019 – 12/2022
RAISE gives access to secondary school students at internships within research laboratories/companies operating in the Raw Materials sector. RAISE tackles a carrier guidance demand originated within the schools, making youngsters aware of the career opportunities in the field, offering them tools allowing an informed university studies engagement into Raw Materials related disciplines. Motivated pupils access two/three week internships focused on exploration, circular economy, substitution of critical raw materials and recycling.
This project is offering pupils a first but immersive direct contact with the raw materials sector, giving them a flavor of its real world in order to facilitate their informed and committed engagement into studies of raw materials related disciplines.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), Alma Mater Studiorum – Universita di Bologna, Bay Zoltan Nonprofit Ltd. for Applied Research, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), ERION, Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan, KTH (Royal Institute of Technology), TREEE Srl, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM), Università degli Studi di Milano – Bicocca
Raw Materials Students Internships in East South-East Europe
Duration: 07/2018 – 12/2021
RAISESEE “Raw Materials Students Internships in East South-East Europe” project is the extension of RAISE project with special focus on countries in East and South-East Europe. The goal is to develop hands-on internships in working environments for secondary schools students. The mix of basic training in lab/industry safety rules, Raw Material related themes and of hands-on stages in “real world” research institutes, universities and industries will help students toward an informed choice of their university studies, allowing pupils to match their expectations and talents with the opportunities offered by the stakeholders in different Raw Materials sectors. A specific task of RAISESEE will also be the inclusion of several partners from ESEE area as active actors in training activities.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), Dnipro University of Technology (NMU Ukraine), Association of Technology Engineers of Republic of Srpska, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, HYdrogen for Development of Environmental Projects, Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, BAS (IOCCP BAS), National Institute of Materials Physics Bucharest, Politecnico di Milano, Tallinn University of Technology, University of Banja Luka, University of Oulu
ESEE Scholarships
Duration: 01/2020 – 12/2021
TrainESEE v.2 is a capacity building project focused at six Universities of East and South Eastern Europe. Targeted universities lack modern teaching methodology, and areas of training that need to be further developed include project development and management, innovative and entrepreneurial skills and science to business competences. These are some of the main reasons for lower performing in science and teaching and lower ranking of the Universities at the World University Rankings. Final consequences are that graduates from those Universities have lower innovation and entrepreneurial skills, and have weaker impact and starting positions in the industry compared to the European average.
The 2-year project is focused on the academic staff of these universities. Four training modules will be developed: Teaching methodology; Project preparation and management; Innovation and entrepreneurial and Science to Business. Each participating RIS university will collaborate in preparation of the acceleration programmes. These programmes are planned to last continuously for minimum of 3 years after the implementation, increasing the percentage of the trained academic staff to >50% at each of the “Training” universities.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), Aalto University, AGH University of Science and Technology, Dnipro University of Technology, Fundación Tecnalia Research & Innovation, KGHM Cuprum Ltd. Research & Development Centre, National Technical University of Athens, Technical University of Kosice, Technische Universität Wien, University of Mining and Geology St. Ivan Rilski, University of Miskolc, University of Zagreb
Learning the uses of minerals through non-conventional and digital tools
Duration: 01/2020 – 12/2021
The 3D BRIEFCASE Project seeks to bring mineral raw materials and mining closer to society. Its ultimate goal is that citizens from an early age and students, get to know and understand from where the mineral products they use in daily life come from, what minerals can be found in their environment, and how our daily purchasing decisions affect the social environment of the people who live in countries with mineral resources exploitation.
During the first part of the project, BRIEFCASEs are developed covering sensitive aspects of the mining activities and focusing on primary school pupils to students (6-14 years old) and their teachers, including virtual material (web) compiling all these materials to offer an interactive tool that can be self-used by pupils.
The second part of the project, 3D BRIEFCASE, proposes to improve the virtual tool into an augmented reality (AR) application to attract students up to 18 years old and to adapt the tool for a 3D-application for permanent use in science museums and educational centres, and for private use of the general public.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), CSIC (Spanish National Research Council), Coventry University, European Association of Mining Industries, Metal Ores & Industrial Minerals (EUROMINES), Fundación Tecnalia Research & Innovation, Gomez Pardo Foundation, Magnesitas Navarras S.A., Monolithos Ltd, Technical University of Kosice, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Università degli Studi di Milano – Bicocca, ZAG (Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute)
Teaching raw materials to primary schools with gamification
Duration: 01/2020 – 12/2021
As increasing world demand for raw materials is facing stronger public concerns on health and environmental issues there arises the need for a better targeted dissemination of knowledge and information, thus enforcing public awareness of the problem. To work towards public awareness, we must start early by increasing knowledge and interest about raw materials and geology – already in primary school. By targeting primary schools we also reach the public as a whole – through children, their parents and their teachers.
BetterGeoEdu 2.0 is a project that targets primary schools to work with wider society learning for raw materials. BetterGeoEdu will develop educational material about raw materials using BetterGeo – a modification of the immensely popular game Minecraft. Cooperation with teachers, museums, geoparks, and activity centres will result in train-the-trainer programmes as well as freely available exercises and instructions for teachers. BetterGeoEdu brings a unique and innovative way of teaching raw materials to primary schools using an already well-known and loved game.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Geological Survey of Slovenia, Geological Survey of Sweden, Tallinn University of Technology, Trinity College Dublin, Technical University of Madrid, Université de Liège
Enhancing the skills of ESEE RM students towards the AchievemenT of SDGs
Duration: 01/2020 – 12/2021
The project consortium of “ENhancing the skills for the AChievemenT of SDGs”, EnAct-SDGs, will cooperate in order to develop an Action Plan that will act as a driver to modernize the RM education practices to ensure the incorporation of the Sustainable Development principles in the educational programmes of the ESEE Universities, strengthen the skills and increase the capacity of University graduates and RM professionals.
During the project a number of actions will take place and methodological tools will be adopted so as: (a) to build a dynamic self-sustained network between the Industry, Academia, Researchers and Professionals of the RM sector; (b) to initially assess the existing Educational programmes of the Beneficiary Universities; (c) to take into account the needs and views of the stakeholders from the RM network, Policy makers and NGOs; (d) to identify the areas that need improvement; (e) propose a road map for the modernization of the educational programs of the Beneficiary Universities that could be then transferred as a Best practice to other Universities of the ESEE Region; (f) to organize pilot activities for the implementation of the new proposals.
The EnAct-SDGs project will cooperate with the existing and developing ecosystems of different EIT RM Innovation (RC Leoben and RC Freiberg) and RIS (RCGREECE and RCKOSICE) HUBs represented by the Consortium. The RM industry has already expressed their interest in the project implementation through their Letter of Intent.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), AGH University of Science and Technology, Employers’ Organization of Polish Copper, GREEK MINING ENTERPRISES ASSOCIATION (GMEA), Hub Innovazione Trentino – Fondazione (HIT), MYTILINEOS S.A., National Technical University of Athens – NTUA, Panhellenic Association of Graduate Mining and Metallurgical Engineers ( PSDMMM), Technical University of Kosice, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), The National Technology Platform for Research, Development and Innovation of Raw Materials, Università degli Studi di Trento
Advanced Rock Engineering Education for Deep Mines
Duration: 01/2018 – 03/2021
The continuing education programme “Advanced Rock Engineering for Deep Mines” addresses the shortage of rock engineering personnel in the European mining industry. The emphasis of the education programme is on the application of rock engineering principles in the mining industry in order to make deep mining operations safer and more efficient. It provides the participants with the basic knowledge and skills required to address and solve practical rock engineering problems.
This education programme is directed at mines, governmental organizations responsible for supervision of mining activities, consulting companies in the field of mining, having to deal with rock pressure problems, and personnel employed in the mining industry. The programme comprises eight compulsory and four elective modules.
Montanuniversität Leoben (Chair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics, Lead), GEODATA Ziviltechnikergesellschaft mbH, KGHM Cuprum Ltd. Research & Development Centre, Silesian University of Technology, SANIRE South African National Institute of Rock Engineering, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), TU Clausthal, University of Queensland, Veitsch-Radex GmbH & Co KG, Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten AG, Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik Wien