How would you introduce yourself in one sentence?

Someone who loves to travel, and dreams of doing a world tour and experience cultural diversity.

Why did you choose to study electrical engineering?

Electrical Engineering was a specialisation I did not consider approaching in university because I was not very fond of the content I was taught in high school. My views changed in the first year of Electrical Engineering as I was exposed to fresh and exciting content. I had decided at the end of my first year to pursue electrical studies as I felt this industry is growing rapidly worldwide, and thought it would be a great time to enter this field with technology becoming ‘SMART’ and ‘energy efficient’.

In which projects have you been involved in and outside of university?

I was a Product development Intern at Fisher and Paykel Appliances over the summer of 2016/17, where I was required to design and develop a laundry test-logging PC application software. The biggest challenge in the initial stages I encountered was learning a software language that I was not overly familiar with. Although during the later stages, I began seeing the advantages of the language and gained valuable technical skills that can be applied in industry.

I am currently working on a fourth-year project, involving designing and developing an Automated Testing System for wireless power supplies. The biggest challenge with this project is that the success hugely depends on the mechanical design of the system, which is something my project partner and I are not specialists in. However, I have had the opportunity to learn from mechanical experts and perform 3D modelling on CAD software, before implementing the design.

How would you like to contribute to the electricity supply industry in the future?

I want to contribute to projects that are essential for the well-being of mankind. Projects I would like to associate towards in the future include; power generation in areas where electricity shortages are common, and developing wireless power products. Although, I aspire someday to have my own start-up firm that develops such products.

What is the most important piece of advice you would give to high school students wanting to start a degree in engineering? And to university students wanting to specialise in power engineering?

To high school students:
Don’t be fixated after high school on the field of engineering you want to pursue for the remainder of your career. Keep an open mind when you enter your first year of engineering, as you will be exposed to several fields that may interest you and want to explore further.

To students interested in power engineering:
Make use of the time at university by introducing yourself to members in the industry through events such as EEA conferences. These events will help you decide which path you are most interested in pursuing as well as help you build references outside of university.