20 top UWA engineering students to study engineering techniques in China

9/8/95

A total of 20 top engineering undergraduates from the University of Western Australia will soon travel to China to expand their knowledge of world engineering techniques.

Resources Development Minister Colin Barnett today met part of the tour group and presented $4,000 on behalf of the Department of Resources Development to assist with funding the visit.

Mr Barnett said a visit to China would be particularly valuable, considering the strong trade ties between that country and the State.  China is WA's fourth largest export market.

The 1995 Gledden Tour is a part of an annual UWA program to give students first-hand experience with different methods of engineering outside of Australia.

The Minister said the 25-day tour would broaden the horizons of the potential engineers through visits to a wide range of technological centres, as well as experiencing the culture of China.

"There is such a wide spectrum of sophistication of engineering performed in China that the students will gain invaluable insights into the engineering process," he said.

Mr Barnett said major primary exports to China included iron ore, alumina, wheat, barley and wool. About 130 WA companies are known to be currently exporting to China.

The establishment of a Consulate-General for Perth late last year highlighted the important trade relationship between WA and China.

The Minister said the UWA tour would be headed this year by Dr Brett Nener, of the university's Department of Environmental Engineering.

The tour was named in honour of Dr Robert Gledden, a mining surveyor who laid out the town site of Kalgoorlie in 1894.  Dr Gledden died in 1927, bestowing a generous sum to the UWA for the promotion of education in applied science.

Students due to take part in the tour include Adrian Zinarino of Dianella, Karen McLaughlin from Karrinyup, Dilusha Silva from Maylands, Alistar Rowe of Nedlands, Andrew Stock from Marmion, Graeme Conway of Nedlands, Tanya Broadway of Mt Pleasant and Paul Allen from Subiaco.

Media contact: Carolyn Vicars - 222 9699