OREANDA-NEWS. On 21 January 2009 was announced, that hailing from cities all over Australia, 17 university students have been fortunate in attaining invaluable paid work experience at QAL during their summer break.

QAL’s 2008/2009 Undergraduate Vacation Program is well underway, providing students studying in the areas of engineering, science, health, information technology and human resources with practical experience in a real-life work environment.

Running for over 30 years, the program allows students to work alongside professionals in their field while assisting with projects that contribute to the refinery’s operations in some way, with the final outcome benefiting both the student and QAL.

University of Queensland Chemical Engineering student Richard Nagle is placed in process engineering, assisting the Research and Development department in finding a suitable flocculent for Clarification’s neutralisation.

“I have been testing four types of flocculent and monitoring the effects from caustic in the laboratory so it’s been a really great, practical experience,” Richard said.

Kavita Devaharan, studying Mechanical Engineering at Adelaide University, made the journey to Queensland after her friend recommended QAL as a great place to be employed as a vacation student. Kavita is working in Major Maintenance with the asbestos removal team and is currently drawing construction specifications for pipes in Digestion.

“The main reason I really wanted to do my placement at QAL is because I know that the work is practical and I didn’t want to be in the office all the time,” Kavita said.

“Every time I go out into the plant I notice something new or different, it’s a very exciting place to work. It’s also great to see in person what I’m actually working on.”

Vacation students complete their experience at QAL on 13 February.

Queensland Alumina LTD (Australia) was commissioned in 1967. With annual production capacity of 3.9 mln tonnes of alumina, it currently employs 1,150 people. Queensland alumina is certified in compliance with the ISO 14001 Compliance Certificate (international environmental management standards). UC RUSAL owns 20% of QAL.