Professional Documents
Culture Documents
STEPHENENDERS Future Geology Education
STEPHENENDERS Future Geology Education
Outlook
Challenges
Scenarios
Expectations
Conclusions
The Situation Today (developed countries focus)
All this, and a global super cycle bull market in mineral resources
The Fundamental Challenges
Peter Laznicka
(IAGOD Symposium, Moscow 2006)
So, Where Do The Geosciences Fit?
Geology
Models, structure
Basic mapping, structure
4D Geological Frameworks
Geophysics
Airborne systems
Borehole systems
Deep penetration capabilities
Geochemistry
Analytical tools
Thermodynamic-kinetic data
Dispersion and concentration
Drilling
Miniaturization
Real-time data
Hole to hole sensing
Remote Sensing
Hyperspectral applications
Space-borne platforms
Scenario Planning
Scenarios
Wishful thinking
Steady State
Stealing with pride
Attributes
Assumptions
Features
Implications
Wishful Thinking
Assumptions
A turnaround is inevitable
Market forces will ultimately prevail
Undergraduate enrolments will increase
Geosciences education will regain its
lost luster
Features
Governmental support will rebound
Industry or alumni will provide funding
Baby boomers will want to retire early
and teach
Implications
The new super cycle will last a long time
Sustaining robust education, research & jobs
Both in the industry and academia
Steady State
Assumptions
Remaining programs remain intact
Source good undergraduates from many
universities globally
Several large top-ranked economic geology
programs thrive
Supported by a number of smaller programs
with limited resources
Features
Governmental support continues to decline
Industry provides significant financial support
Classic economic geology education still valued
Top programs provide opportunities for high-potential foreign nationals
Stronger applied programs in developing regions (i.e., South America)
Significant outreach to industry and other universities
Strong demand for graduates
Implications
The new super cycle is just another cycle and will not last long enough
No critical mass in support of education, research and jobs - downturn
Flood of geoscientists return to academia for study or teaching
Thus renewing the cycle
Stealing With Pride (1 of 2)
Assumptions
Remaining economic geology programs continue to decline
Geosciences evolve into Planetary or Environmental Science Depts.
It will remain possible to recruit high quality graduates
Recruiting will be focused on who they are not what they know
We will still require a fundamental background in sciences or engineering
Features
Current programs cant keep pace with demand or type of training
Mineral resource industry will adopt/adapt oil company approach
Focus on intensive in-house education and training
Supplemented by collaborative programs like AAPGs
Employers will require 6 months initially in first year, then 2-4 weeks/yr
Training in-depth by discipline or broadly in business and management
Educators from industry and academia working together
Stealing With Pride (2 of 2)
Implications
Industry will provide for itself
Training and education to fit needs of the cycle
Will strengthen undergraduate programs in geosciences
Will strengthen graduate programs, but not necessarily econ geol
Does not rely on variable and cyclical support
Expectations of Graduates
Focus
Broad exposure rather than narrow specialization