Education
The Erdenet mine was established as a significant venture to extract valuable copper and molybdenum deposits in 1974. This initiative was not merely an industrial pursuit; it was designed to meet the pressing social needs of builders and specialists who had relocated from the Soviet Union to contribute to this ambitious project. A Russian school and kindergarten were inaugurated in 1978 to recognize the importance of education and family support. This establishment was intended not only to enhance labor productivity and effective time management but also to ensure that the children of these workers had access to quality educational opportunities. To further bolster the personal skills of the employees, a dedicated Training Center for Mining and Mining Specialist Training opened its doors in 1975. This center has since garnered recognition as a pivotal institution for training adept professionals in mining, social sciences, and various research methodologies. It plays a crucial role in the research, design, and semi-production testing necessary for the continuous technical and technological advancement of the Erdenet Mining Corporation (EMC). Over the years, the center transformed into the Erdenet Complex higher education institution, which has become a comprehensive hub for educational endeavors, research initiatives, and industry collaboration. With a strong commitment to enhancing employability, the institution provides a wide array of education services, including:
- Preschool education for early childhood development
- Higher education programs offering undergraduate and graduate degrees
- Advanced education for professional development
- Vocational education to support skill acquisition
- Continuing education for lifelong learners
- Research and study opportunities to foster innovation
Kindergarten No. 12 proudly serves 275 children, while Secondary School No. 19 is home to 741 eager students. At the higher education level, the Erdenet Complex Institute offers an impressive curriculum with 16 undergraduate majors and 10 master's programs in partnership with the esteemed Mongolian University of Science and Technology. In addition, the institution provides both national and Cambridge international programs for high school students in grades 9-12, attracting over 1,000 students each year. In support of its workforce, EMC offers a range of training programs focused on health, foreign languages, business development, and personal growth.
Annually, between 1,000 to 1,500 employees benefit from vocational training to enhance their skills. Beginning in 2023, the Erdenet Polytechnic College will introduce three-year technical education programs in vital fields, including Mineral Processing Technology, Electrical Technology, and Mechanical Engineering.
Furthermore, it will offer five-year sub-bachelor degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering in collaboration with Koosen College, a recognized education provider. To promote continuous professional development, the institution partners with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security to organize three-month skill improvement training programs across seven vocations and temporary training offerings for more than ten additional professions. Kindergarten No. 12 employs a dedicated team of 23 full-time teachers and 21 foreign specialists, while Secondary School No. 19 boasts 38 faculty members, including 29 skilled foreign educators. With over 100 full-time and part-time instructors and teachers, the Erdenet Complex higher education
institution is robustly staffed, featuring distinguished professionals such as four Doctors of Science (Sc.D.), 31 Ph.D. holders, and more than 70 experienced consulting engineers of Mongolia.
The institution actively collaborates with several international partners, promoting the exchange of educators and students to implement joint programs that enhance teaching and research initiatives. Partner institutions include Ural Mountain University of Russia, Ural Technical University, Irkutsk National Research University, Ulan-Ude School of Engineering and Teaching, Nagoya University in Japan, Akita University in Japan, Konkuk University in South Korea, Freiberg Mining Academy in Germany, the Academy of Sciences of China, BGRIMM Group, the Industrial University of China's Ministry of Education and Culture, and the "Belt and Road International Training and Research, Experimental, and Research Institute." Under Resolution No. 321 of 2021 from the Government of Mongolia, the government has embarked on a mission to diversify and develop the Erdenet Complex Institute under the support of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology in Orkhon Province. This strategic move emphasizes the importance of mining and technology education. Moreover, Resolution No. 293 of 2022 resulted in the merger of the branch school of Mongolian National University in Orkhon Province with the Erdenet Complex Higher Education Institution, further enriching the regional education landscape.