Australian expert visits India to boost links in mining education and research

Kolkata: Professor Stephen Fityus, one of the foremost Australian experts in mining and geotechnical engineering from the University of Newcastle, is visiting India to tap opportunities for collaboration with prominent Indian higher education institutions, research centres and industry bodies.

Professor Fityus has made contributions to a wide range of research areas including minesite geomechanics, geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering, and engineering geology. He is also the Principal Researcher in the Priority Research Centre for Geotechnical and Materials Modelling at the University of Newcastle.

He will deliver lectures at the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad; the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Kolkata; the CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology; the Society of Geoscientists and Allied Technologists, Bhubaneshwar; and Coal India Ltd.

Welcoming the initiative, Australia's High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling said: "Mining is an area of mutual interest to Australia and India. In particular, this visit will address both our Prime Ministers' stated desire to explore partnerships with the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad, as indicated in their joint statement during Prime Minister Modi's visit."

The visit is taking place under the Australia India Education Council's (AIEC) Eminent Researcher Lecture Program. The AIEC is a bi-national body co-chaired by the Australian and Indian Education Ministers, for driving the Australia India education, training and research agenda.

"This visit has enabled a deeper two-way understanding of the mining capabilities in our countries and I see immense potential in academic and research collaboration in this area between Australia and India," Prof. Fityus said.

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