A research and education center established less than three years ago as part of a CRDF program to enhance the research capabilities of universities in Ukraine is already producing positive results at the National Mining University (NMU) in Dnipropetrovsk. Not only has the Center, "Geotechnical Systems Stability", heralded a new era of scientific cooperation within NMU, it has also spurred the development of a second Center at the university.   According to a decree issued by the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers on Sept. 23, 2009, NMU has been granted the status of "self-governed national higher education research institution."  This new status, which approaches that of a U.S. research university, conveys a considerable extension of the university's autonomy, better funding, and new possibilities for research activities. 

The "Geotechnical Systems Stability" Research and Education Center was the first of its kind to be established in 2007 as part of the Cooperation in Research and Education in Science and Technology (CREST) program.  Created by CRDF and the Ministry of Ukraine for Education and Science (MESU), CREST's aim is to promote the integration of science and education in Ukrainian universities.

The "Geotechnical Systems Stability" Center has promoted cutting-edge research and education in geology, mining, and geophysics and supported collaboration in the geosciences among Ukrainian and international universities and companies. It has united the research teams of several departments of the NMU working in the field of Earth sciences. It has also contributed to the development of new structural branches within the NMU.

The positive experience with this first CREST center led to the establishment at NMU of a new research and education center on "Problems of Highly Efficient Use of the Energy Potential of Geotechnical Systems of Ukraine" supported by MESU. This new Center will focus on minimizing Ukraine's dependence on external sources of energy through the development and the adoption of stable, energy-saving and environmentally safe technologies for mining, processing, transportation and utilization of mineral resources. Six more research and education centers are now being planned at NMU.

 

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