Curriculum development for improving mineral exploration-related master programs towards innovation, entrepreneurship and social responsibility

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Sibila Borojević Šoštarić
• Author: Gabriela Paszkowska
• Author: Nils Jansson
• Author: Luis Lopes
• Author: Alberto Sanchez Miravalles
• Author: Ana Maričić
• Author: Ferenc Mádai
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering; (Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Mineral Resources)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: TECHNICAL SCIENCES; Mining, Petroleum and Geology Engineering
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Geology

Abstract (english)

Nordic and West Balkan countries are major investment regions in Europe for greenfield and brownfield mineral exploration; however, the availability of qualified technical, scientific and managerial personnel involved in the whole mineral cycle is limited, especially in West Balkan countries. The partners of the TIMREX EIT RawMaterials-labeled MSc program have developed a joint curriculum focused on innovative raw materials prospecting and exploration methods, with strong innovation and entrepreneurial components. The program incorporates new exploration techniques and methodologies, portable and more highly sensitive equipment, robotized exploration equipment and the processing and interpreting of large, multidimensional datasets. The TIMREX curriculum was built around the ideal mineral exploration program, as suggested by raw materials stakeholders and orientated to field geology, exploration techniques and data processing, and also includes elements of sustainability, transversal societal and regulatory aspects. The program also focuses on EIT Overarching Learning Outcomes (OLO-s), which are embedded as core elements of the curriculum (innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, creativity, leadership and intercultural competencies). Significant contributions to the OLOs also arise from cross-organizational program elements, including the Exploration Entrepreneurship course, summer field camp, the Internship and the Social and Civic internship.

• Keywords (english): curriculum development; mineral exploration; innovation; entrepreneurship
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Publication title: The 2nd International Conference on Raw Materials and Circular Economy “RawMat202
• Series title: Materials proceedings
• Numbering: vol. 15, no. 1, 8
• p-ISSN: 2673-4605
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/materproc2023015008
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:169:217865
• Publication: 2023-10-11
• Project: Number: 21064; Title (croatian): TIMREX - Diplomski studijski program inovativnog istraživanja mineralnih sirovina; Title (english): T-Shaped Master Programme for Innovative Mineral Resource Exploration; Acronym: TIMREX; Jurisdiction: eu; Funding stream: Horizon 2020
• Conference: Title: 2nd International Conference on Raw Materials and Circular Economy RawMat 2023; Acronym: RawMat 2023; Location: Atena, Greece; Start date: 2023-08-28; End date: 2023-09-02; Assembly type: Lecture
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4605/15/1/8
• Type of resource: Text
• Publisher: MDPI
• Publishing place: Basel
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2025-03-26 13:54:00