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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – 6 March 2013: Leading provider of intuitive software solutions to the mining and exploration industry, MICROMINE (UK), has awarded a £1,000 bursary to an undergraduate geology student from the University of Leicester as part of the annual MICROMINE Student Bursary Programme. The 2013 recipient is Matthew Booth, a third-year student in Leicester’s MGeol Applied and Environmental Geology course.
MICROMINE’s Student Bursary Programme was launched in 2012. The aim of the programme is to invest in the technical development of geoscience students. In addition to granting financial assistance, the programme offers a summer work placement with MICROMINE’s London-based team, and the opportunity to conduct a company-sponsored research study that will contribute to the student’s degree.
Commenting on his bursary award, Booth states “I am excited to have been selected for MICROMINE’s student bursary. The programme will further my industry experience in mineral exploration and will assist my preparation for an industrial career. I look forward to working on real-world projects which provide scientific research of value while developing my passion for exploration geology.”
Professor Mike Lovell, Head of the Department of Geology, comments “We are delighted to continue with this exciting MICROMINE initiative, following a hugely successful inaugural year. Aside from the financial support the scheme provides for the final year student, the valuable work experience and the opportunity to be involved in industry based research is something that we value incredibly highly. Initiatives such as this allow students to see beyond academia, to develop their technical skills and
improve their employability and options.”
Dr David Holwell, Lecturer in Applied and Environmental Geology, adds “Last year’s recipient, Sinead Fenton, has benefited hugely from her vocational experience. Her subsequent Masters research project, where she was able to undertake field work in Mongolia, is proving to be a very exciting study with real implications for industry. We look forward to building upon this success through Matthew’s selection this year, and further developing the bursary scheme and the industry links to teaching.”
MICROMINE UK Regional Manager, Tim Tuder, comments “MICROMINE’s extensive collaboration with universities across the world showcases the mutually beneficial relationship between academia and industry. Our partnership with Leicester’s Department of Geology has flourished in the last year and we are proud that our bursary programme is achieving great results. We look forward to helping Matthew further develop technical and leadership skills that are highly valued in the workplace.”
The speed, advanced functionalities and user-friendliness of Micromine, the company’s industryleading exploration and mine design solution, has helped the technology become a tremendous asset to faculty staff and students at the University of Leicester, and to world-class educational institutions around the world. Leicester has reported that grades have increased by several per cent overall for its Exploration and Site Investigation Methods geology module since Micromine was integrated into the curriculum in 2012.
