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Contrary to your front page report last week ("Rescue for top-rated staff only", November 26), Exeter University has no plans to close mining engineering courses.

The Camborne School of Mines, now part of the School of Geography, Archaeology and Earth Resources, sustained a reduction in the number of staff a year ago, with a concomitant rationalisation of its programmes. But it retained mining engineering as one of its core degrees alongside other successful courses such as applied geology. Since then, CSM has relocated to the ?60 million University of Exeter in Cornwall Tremough Campus. It recruited well in 2004. Mining engineering remains an important part of the school's portfolio.

Michael Winter
Head
School of Geography
Archaeology and Earth Resources Exeter University