Assessment of perception from engineering students on an environmental conflict using the grey clustering method

Abstract

The objective of this research is to assess the perception of the students of the National Engineering University through the method of Grey Clustering, with respect to the socioenvironmental conflict of Las Bambas, an emblematic conflict in Peru. The students were selected according to the direct relationship of their careers with the conflict. For this particular study, the following faculties were chosen: Faculty of Environmental Engineering (FIA by its Spanish acronym), Faculty of Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Engineering (FIGMM by its Spanish acronym), Faculty of Economic Engineering, Statistics and Social Sciences (FIEECS by its Spanish acronym). For this method, the following evaluation criteria were defined: Land Use, Water Availability, Environmental Pollution, Employment and Economic Development. Through the method of Grey Clustering, it was found that the perception of the National Engineering University students is Normal with respect to the social conflict in Las Bambas. This means that, according to their perspective, the conflict will continue as it is. On the other hand, this study could be a tool for the analysis and prevention of socio-environmental conflicts, as it defines the kind of impact according to each stakeholder, which would help local and regional authorities, as well as mining companies, in their decision-making.