The latest round of scholarships designed to attract the world's best mining industry researchers to Western Australia were awarded yesterday (July 27) by Mines and Petroleum and Asian Engagement Minister Bill Johnston.

The Minerals Research Institute of WA (MRIWA) awarded three new PhD scholarships in its Education Program, which attracts diverse international talent to ensure the State remains at the forefront of mining research and technology.

Now in its fourth year, the program has invested $1.25 million to secure the world's top mining talent, drawing from the best students in China, Indonesia, Canada, Iran, Italy and the UK.

In 2018, the program will offer a female-only scholarship to encourage high-calibre women to take pathways towards higher management roles in the traditionally male-dominated industry.

The PhD Scholars for 2017 are:

• Yihao Fu - MRIWA Directors' scholarship (in the field of data analytics).  Mr Fu is a previous recipient of an Odwyn Jones Award;
• Zela Tanlega Ichlas - MRIWA scholarship for a PhD by research; and
• Charles Spath - MRIWA scholarship for a PhD by research

For more information, visit http://mriwa.wa.gov.au/scholarship