Am Dienstag dem 03. Juni wurde das neue Bildungsprojekt MOSA – kurz für Montanuni Outdoor Science Activities – feierlich eröffnet. Zahlreiche interessierte Besucherinnen, darunter sowohl Schülerinnen aus dem Bezirk Leoben, als auch Studierende und Mitarbeiter*innen der Montanuniversität, sind der Einladung zur Mitgestaltung gefolgt. Sie setzten gemeinsam entlang des neu angelegten Lehrpfads 1.600 Staudenpflanzen in einen mit Kohlenstoff angereicherten Boden.
MOSA steht für praxisnahes Lernen mit allen Sinnen in der freien Natur. Das Projekt bringt Forschung von der Universität direkt ins Gelände und zeigt auf spannende Art und Weise, wie die effektive Nutzung von Ressourcen gelingen kann.
Durch Stationen entlang des neuen Lehrpfades, können Schüler*innen, Lehrende und die interessierte Öffentlichkeit interaktiv erleben, wie neue Technologien, Kreislaufwirtschaft, Biodiversität, Kohlenstoffanwendungen und regenerative Ressourcen ineinandergreifen. Auf der neu geschaffenen Fläche ermöglicht die Montanuni das aktive Begreifen unterschiedlicher Zukunftsszenarien und leistet damit auch einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur Umsetzung zukunftsfähiger Technologien.
On June 3, MOSA – Montanuni Outdoor Science Activities – will be officially opened! Everyone is cordially invited to join in the celebrations, help shape the event and plant plants along the nature trail. In this way, we are setting a strong example for sustainability together.
Please register here: https://www.unileoben.ac.at/mosa-pflanzaktion/
After much fine-tuning, the first edition of MiReBooks in printed form has been printed and is now available. These books will take mining education to a higher level by incorporating VR and AR elements into teaching!
Europe needs more experts to master the complex issues of a Social License to Operate (#SLO) as currently many raw materials projects are severely delayed due to severe opposition from communities.
Coordinated by the RIC Leoben Education team, an alliance of experts on the topic of SLO from research, universities and industry will design and deliver a tailored PhD school, based around challenges provided by the industry, facilitated by innovative teaching/learning methods.
The first edition of the PhD school is underway, split into three phases:
1. Online Phase (Virtual Week: 3rd to 7th February 2025)
2. Case Study Phase (10th February to 4th April 2025)
3. Onsite School (23rd to 27th June 2025, Vareš, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Further details under: https://www.proslo.eu/
The final workshop for master and PhD students was successfully implemented in Leoben, Austria from the 9th to the 11th of April 2024. This workshop was organised jointly by Montanuniversität Leoben (MUL) and the University of Zagreb, the Faculty of Mining, Geology, and Petroleum Engineering.
During the first day, students enjoyed multiple lectures related to innovations in mechanical extraction methods, drill and blast extraction, and sustainable extraction practices. The second and third day were devoted to site visits, where students learned in Sandvik all about disc undercutting technology and had an opportunity to see a machine for mechanical rock cutting in action, while at MUL’s Zentrum am Berg Research Center they learned about the Innovative rock haulage system and received an open pit tour and underground mine tour in Erzberg.
It was a privilege for the RIC Leoben team to host a highly motivated and interested group of students in Leoben!
The DIM ESEE 2023 Innovation workshop 18 – 20 October 2023 was again held in Dubrovnik/Croatia.
We enjoyed high-quality lectures from multiple experts in the field of raw materials, great networking and innovative ideas for the future in mining.
This year, the scientific program was organised by the RIC Leoben team, including topics related to digitalization and data processing, underground and surface mineral extraction, and robotics in mining. Additionally, industry experts from Austin Powder, Dok-Ing, Epiroc, and Sandvik provided fascinating insights into the future of mineral extraction.
More details: https://dim-esee.eu/
PROMISE is an international 24 months Joint Master’s program in Sustainable Mineral and Metal Processing Engineering, aiming at advancing the mineral processing sector into a sustainable future. Up to 84 Erasmus Mundus scholarships can be awarded, divided between four intakes.
Applications for the third intake are possible until 31st December 2023.
This program is ideally suited for Bachelors of mineral processing, mining, metallurgical and chemical engineering and other closely related studies.
The program offers full scholarship of EUR 1400 per month, additionally it covers all tuition fees at the four partner universities: University of Oulu (Finland), Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria), University of Zagreb (Croatia) and Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (Chile).
More information on https://www.master-promise.eu/
Apply here: https://www.master-promise.eu/how-to-apply/
RIC is glad to support the ERASMUS+ project “EdUp”, coordinated by TU Bergakademie Freiberg, that aims at providing digital course contents and curricula upscaling opportunities for Ukrainian universities during the currently challenging period.
With EdUp, we will increase the already existing support activities that allow Ukrainian HEIs to keep up their study programmes by incorporating digital courses from partners and integrating them into their teaching. The project will offer a digital platform with new courses that cover already identified needs and increase the opportunities for UA partners to create digital courses. Within this project, RIC / Montanuniversität Leoben will provide a selection of education courses during the next two years.
Professional Development for Engineers of Tomorrow
Duration: 06/2021 – 10/2023
The RIC Education Team has been awarded for the first time in 2021 a funding proposal for the “Programmatic Partnership between Kosovan and Austrian Institutions” in the framework of HERAS+ – Higher Education, Research and Applied Science plus”. The main objective of the project “Professional development for engineers of tomorrow -PDET” is to improve the employability and entrepreneurship of graduates of the University of Mitrovica “Isa Boletini”. Kosovar youth are currently facing challenges in finding a job, while companies complain that graduates do not have the necessary skills to succeed in a particular industry. The gap between academic training at universities and the labor market is obvious and undeniable. The current project would address this problem through the establishment and functionalization of the UMIB Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Creation, and provide annual training programs that target two key issues facing college graduates. The first is to provide graduates with the soft skills required in the work environment and the second is to provide training in entrepreneurial skills.
The project was launched in Mitrovica in September 2022. In the first step of the work, a labor market analysis will be carried out together with the UMIB team in order to match the content of the workshops and trainings, which will be created based on these results, with the needs of the industry.
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: 09/2020 – 08/2023
The aim of this ERASMUS+ project is to create a strategic partnership between universities and companies and to develop a comprehensive educational platform that will help modify existing study programs related to the extractive industry and increase knowledge on proper waste management incorporating the circular economy approach.
The RIC Education Team was tasked with developing a model degree program on “Circular Economy in the Extractive Industry” that would provide knowledge on proper waste management incorporating the concept of circular economy. The model course of study was completed in 2022 and is based on comprehensive findings and analysis from key stakeholders in the extractive industry and tertiary education from across Europe.
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)
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
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 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
Duration: 01/2016 – 12/2019
The project “CLC-EAST Professional School” provides an interlinked course program, which teaches the state of the art with a didactic concept tailored for the local industrial environment.
Partner: Montanuniversität Leoben (RIC Leoben), AGH University of Science and Technology, Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz – PORT Polski Ośrodek Rozwoju Technologii, Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF)
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