Media release
Local company supports engineering students — a donation by Fosterville Gold Mine has made an enormous difference to La Trobe University civil engineering students in Bendigo.
Monday, 2 June 2008
The valuable donation of two total stations has effectively doubled the advanced surveying equipment available for students.
Professor Joe Petrolito, La Trobe University, Bendigo campus Head of Civil Engineering and Physical Sciences, has welcomed the donation of a Soekisha and a Leica total station. A total station is a combination of a theodolite for measuring angles and a distance measuring instrument.
"Each of these total stations is valued at around $15,000 and we greatly appreciate the donation by Fosterville Gold Mine," said Professor Petrolito.
"The acquisition of this equipment exposes our students to two different types of equipment previously not available to them and improves their practical learning sessions."
La Trobe University sessional lecturer, Mr Donald Swiney, said the donation has had a significant impact on the way he teaches the students.
"Having this equipment allows me to teach the practical aspects of civil engineering to smaller groups of three students. Without this equipment, the size of each group must be larger, which has a negative impact on the students' interest levels and their ability to learn," Mr Swiney said.
Representatives of Fosterville Gold Mine will attend a demonstration of the equipment being used by second year civil engineering students at 10.30 am, on Tuesday 3 June 2008 in the grounds between Applied Science 1 and Applied Science 2 buildings'
For more information on civil engineering programs offered at La Trobe University visit: www.latrobe.edu.au/ceps or phone the Course Administrator on (03) 5444 7805.
Media Inquiries:
Zerin Knight, La Trobe University, Media Liaison, Bendigo Campus
Phone 03 5444 7375
Mobile 0428 463 161
Email z.knight@latrobe.edu.au