Curtin joined the Bentley Institute academic subscription program offered through its Be Careers network to grant students, researchers and faculty members at the Curtin campuses worldwide unlimited access to more than 50 of Bentley’s software applications for designing, building and operating infrastructure.

The Bentley Institute developed the network to help students graduate with the technological skills needed to start careers as infrastructure professionals in the architecture, engineering and construction fields.

Due to the ongoing skills shortage in WA mining and infrastructure sectors, the program was designed to ensure Curtin graduates were equipped with hands-on experience using the industry-standard software.

With a variety of learning resources including manuals, textbooks, hands-on live training, and on-demand self-study offered through the Bentley LEARN server, along with opportunities for scholarships, the program will equip students with technology skills essential to start careers as infrastructure professionals.

The applications can be used on campus computers and student and faculty personal computers.

Curtin University vice-president Ian Callahan said the program was a strategic addition to developing Curtin’s information and communications technology initiatives.

“With seamless access to Bentley software, our students will graduate with the strong skills and knowledge that their prospective employers need to establish or maintain leadership in the design, development, maintenance and operation of built assets around the world,” Callahan said.

“A distinctive feature of this program is the provision of anywhere, anytime access to Bentley’s learning materials for students and staff through Curtin’s online portal, OASIS.

“This learning opportunity, which is made possible by Bentley Institute’s innovative OnDemand offerings, cements the university’s position as a leader in the adoption of digital learning technologies.”

Bentley senior vice-president George Church welcomed Curtin to the Be Careers network and said he was pleased Curtin had adopted Bentley Institute’s continuous learning path for its students.

“Going from the secondary and college or university experience through professional practice, this path is lifelong, with learning empowered by innovative offerings developed with input from educators and infrastructure professionals and delivered on demand to meet immediate work flow needs,” Church said.

During the presentation to launch the software partnership at Curtin’s campus, representatives from several mining and resource-related companies were in attendance to share their previous experience using Bentley software in sustaining infrastructure.

The companies included Aurecon, Fluor-SKM iron ore joint venture, Ausenco, Western Power, WorleyParsons, the Department of Environment and Conservation, Main Roads WA and Hatch.