The Chemical & Process Engineering Club (CPEC) UWA, Engineers Australia, the Chemical Engineering Department and the University Safety team organised a tour for 17 engineering students. The initiative was made possible through partnering with Tronox Kwinana and Australian Marine Complex (AMC) to host students over a day trip to Kwinana, Western Australia.  

During the trip, students were treated to an immersive experience that included visits to Tronox Kwinana’s Pigment plant and AMC’s shipbuilding and sustainment industrial precinct. The program went beyond the typical classroom setting providing students with hands-on exposure to the industries they are aspiring to join while learning how the coordinated efforts of multi-discipline engineering teams working together keep a facility afloat.

Tronox Kwinana introduced their major hazard facility while showcasing the importance of safety in the production of Titanium Dioxide and highlighting their signature of operating vertically integrated business “From Mine to Pigment”. The students observed and valued the importance of process safety within the facility through its addition of cutting-edge technology and the realisation that engineering is more than equations and theories, it’s a practical field where teamwork and problem-solving have to be applied in real world situations. 

James Low said that the Tronox site visit emphasised the importance of collaboration among different engineering disciplines. Low recognised the significance of working together with various engineering disciplines, which underscores the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork in the engineering field to problem solve.  

“Observing engineers in their day-to-day roles was inspiring and has given me a clearer idea of what I would like to pursue in my future career,” Low said.  

The second leg of the visit consisted of exploring AMC’s Common User Facility and appreciating its vast importance in supporting various industries from Oil & Gas to Defence. The students learned about the necessities of logistics required to undergo projects around WA and how the operation of AMC allows users to achieve necessary tasks. The students explored the floating docks, wharfs, and workshops, and learned about the engineering principles that were taken into consideration when designing the facilities.

Image: Students exploring the floating dock at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson. 

"The main takeaway from this site tour is that learning extends beyond university studies, and real-world exposure can ignite passion and drive in pursuing a career in engineering," Grace Gibson said.  

Tronox Kwinana and Australian Marine Complex showcasing their practical applications of engineering design and operations highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary engineering teams which was a reminder that practical experience and exposure to industries are crucial for students during their university studies.