From China to Kalgoorlie, Mo Zhou's Journey

10 Years On: From Chinese International Student to Mining Engineer in Australia

From studying overseas to stepping into a core role in the global mining industry, one international education journey can change more than just a student's academic path. It can shape the direction of an entire career. 

For many students and families interested in engineering, resources and high-paying industries, choosing a university that is truly connected to industry and offers real practical opportunities is especially important. 

Let's take a look at the story of Curtin University alumnus Mo Zhou and see how he grew from an international student into a production engineer in Australia's gold industry.

His Mining Journey started at Curtin

Ten years ago, Mo Zhou moved from China to Perth, Western Australia to begin his study journey at Curtin University, where he completed a Bachelor of Engineering in Mining Engineering with Honours.

With Curtin ranked 4th in the world and 1st in Western Australia for Mineral and Mining Engineering in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, it was the first step for Mo to enter the mining industry.

Speaking about his decision to study at Curtin, Mo said, "I chose Curtin because of its strong reputation in mining engineering and its close connections with industry. Perth was also very attractive to me as a place to live. It is safe, friendly and close to the heart of the mining industry."

For students who hope to build a career in resources and engineering, this kind of industry connection often means more access to real opportunities. 

Settling into Curtin and finding his place

When Mo first started studying at Curtin's Perth campus, he quickly became familiar with the support available to international students.

"When I first arrived at Curtin, Orientation Week helped me settle in very quickly. The support services also made studying much smoother, and the lecturers were very patient and supportive."

Outside the classroom, Curtin's vibrant campus life also left a strong impression on him.

"I really enjoyed the multicultural campus environment. I joined student clubs and made many friends from different countries. It was a very valuable experience."

A strong combination of theory and practice

During his first two years at university, Mo completed his engineering foundation studies at Curtin's Perth campus, building a solid academic base through advanced teaching facilities. 

He then moved into his mining engineering major and began more specialised study.

"The course included industry visits, research collaborations and field trips. These experiences helped me understand global mining practices and exposed me to industry environments across different cultural backgrounds."

Mo also highlighted the key skills he developed during his studies, including critical thinking, communication and teamwork. These skills later became an important foundation for entering the industry.

Real industry experience at the Kalgoorlie Campus

After completing his first two years of study, Mo continued his degree at Curtin's School of Mines, located in the heart of Western Australia's gold resources region, Kalgoorlie.

Kalgoorlie is one of Australia's best-known mining cities, giving students direct access to the industry environment and employer network. 

"While studying in Kalgoorlie, I completed vacation work with several mining companies and applied what I had learned in class to real production environments. This greatly improved my employability."

Mo gained experience with several well-known mining companies, including Northern Star Resources, Evolution Mining, and Topdrill Mineral and Water Exploration. After graduation, he also worked as a mining engineer at Alcoa, where he was involved in pit design and optimisation. 

Entering the gold industry and building his career

Today, Mo works as a Production Engineer at Gold Fields Australia, a globally recognised mining company. 

In his role, he not only helps improve production efficiency, but has also achieved strong results in safety management and cost optimisation, earning recognition from the company. 

"I enjoy the process of achieving efficient and safe production. I also enjoy helping young engineers grow."

Looking ahead, Mo plans to obtain further mine management qualifications and continue progressing towards more senior engineering or management roles. 

From an international student arriving in Australia for the first time, to a mining engineer building a stable career in the industry, Mo's journey shows the importance of choosing the right field of study and the right learning environment.

In just ten years, he has established himself in the global resources industry, and his career journey is still moving forward towards even greater opportunities.