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New courses to help Western Australian students compete in the international marketplace and a proposed institute to consolidate research and teaching expertise for the resources sector were among key topics in a briefing for State Cabinet at The University of Western Australia today.

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett and the majority of the WA Cabinet attended the briefing by UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson and the University executive.

The briefing provided State Cabinet with an understanding of the University, its research and teaching agenda, its collaborations (State, national and international) and its future priorities.

Professor Robson said the University was well positioned to continue to support the economic and social development of the State.

"Our University has an ambitious target of becoming one of the top-100 universities in the world by its centenary in 2013, and one of the Top 50 in the world by 2050," Professor Robson said.

"Having a top 100 university in our State will bring important benefits to students and the wider Western Australian community because it will ensure we maintain a strong connection to international knowledge networks."

Cabinet Ministers were briefed on UWA's new courses due to come into effect in 2012 which will feature a simple, flexible structure with a focus on developing communication, research and problem-solving skills.

In addition, the UWA Executive flagged the formal establishment later this year of an Energy and Minerals Institute which would bring together UWA's long standing and collaborative expertise in teaching and research supporting the resources sector.  The Institute will encompass the science of minerals and energy, engineering for mining, extraction and production, resources law, health and medicine, Indigenous issues and environmental and rehabilitation studies.

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716