One of the top 10 universities in India, the Indian School of Mines, is recognized for petroleum and mining engineering. And USF St. Petersburg is spearheading the first collaboration between the ISM and an American university.
The new study abroad program was coordinated by USFSP instructor of chemistry, Dr. Madhu Pandey.
For three weeks in August, three USFSP students were given the opportunity to collaborate alongside ISM students and professors in the classroom, and work hands-on in the field.
USFSP students Kate Greene, Dylan Gambill, and Shiloh Gilbert labored from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. six days a week working on assignments, taking measurements and visiting sites. These students completed half a semester’s worth of top quality work in only 21 days, earning themselves a certificate.
At ISM, the students learned about the environmental impacts of mining.
“This trip has opened my eyes to the ever constant problem of economic and environmental balance,” Gambill said. “I began to get a glimpse as to where I stand in all of this, what my role will be.”
ISM practices forms of sustainability. Before mining, engineers remove all vegetation and topsoil from the area. After the mining process is completed, the hole is filled with sand and the topsoil is replaced so that vegetation can regrow.
Gambill said ISM provided a good environment to learn about sustainable development, because they are knowledgable and have been an important part of the mining industry since 1926.
“It was very interesting being involved in a discussion about sustainable development with persons that were directly involved with industrial projects,” Gambill said. “Mining is a dirty business, and the demand of raw materials has only grown. As a result, the need for mitigation is growing as well. Understanding the problem necessitates understanding the practice.”
Mining safety officers accompanied the students in both mine expeditions, along with an extra van just in case one broke down. The group visited two mines, the Sonpurbazari Open Cast Mine, and the Tata Steel underground mine.
“While it was costly, this was an incredible experience,” said Dr. Pandey. “ISM is open to more collaborations with USFSP and I want to take advantage of that. To reduce the cost for the next trip, it may be only seven or eight days.”
Pandey’s passion for teaching and education was the coal in this engine of collaboration. Getting the program approved and ready was a difficult three-year process.
“I had to go through many regulations with USF Tampa for the students to go to India, let alone enter the mines,” Pandey said. When USF saw the safety procedures ISM used, USF was convinced, Pandey said.
