Using the University of Toronto as an example, Dr Spooner shocked his audience by extrapolating the school’s enrolment curve three years into the future. At that time, if current trends remain unchanged, the Universit y of Toronto will have no geology students.
Although that conclusion might appear a tad stretched, Dr Spooner’s point was dramatically made. Declining enrolments are a common industry-university problem — and one which requires an immediate remedy.
By failing to stimulate student interest in the earth sciences, both universities and industry will suffer in the long-term. Although geology and a strong reserve base play a fundamental role in the health of any country’s mining industry, well-trained people will always be required to find the deposits, build the mines and steer the companies which, in the case of Canada, have contributed so much to this country’s economic well-being.
People are also needed by universities to feed the graduate geology and engineering departments — where the bulk of this country’s mining and geological research is conducted.
As pointed out by Dr Ian Nicholl of Queen’s University during the panel discussion, better research will generate improved exploration techniques and ideas about ore deposit geology — both essential to ensuring continued success in exploration.
A positive development which will emerge from the conference and panel discussion is a working document which will summarize the concerns and solutions proposed by the audience and panelists.
It’s a step, albeit a small one, in the right direction.
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