Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland

Two newly funded space research projects are bringing together University of Auckland and Australian researchers to collaborate to foster innovation in space communication and the responsible use of space. One of the two projects will see Te Pūnaha Ātea, Space Institute at the Faculty of Engineering collaborate with Curtin University and Nova Systems to support the development of the SatPing initiative.

The project, led by Professor Roberto Armellin, seeks to enhance the responsible use of space by improving the management of space traffic through innovative technology. Effective space traffic management requires precise information about the location of objects in orbit, traditionally obtained from ground and space-based sensors like radar and optical devices. The SatPing initiative plans to use small tracking beacons on objects in orbit, where these chips will send radio signals to Earth, allowing precise tracking of their location.

Read more by clicking the link below.

Researchers unite to advance space technology - The University of Auckland Experts from the University of Auckland and across the Tasman are collaborating to enhance space exploration and address the growing challenges of space traffic.

Nominations for the 2024 Blues Awards are now open! If you've excelled in the arts or sports or made a valuable contribution as a leader or innovator, you may be eligible to win! Entries close Wednesday 31 July.

Find out more and apply by clicking the link below.
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/awards-and-prizes/blues-awards.html

Looking for an internship or graduate role? The 2024 Internship and Graduate Expo is your gateway to finding the perfect opportunity!

Organisations attending include 2degrees, Air New Zealand, Babcock Australia, Datacom, Kāhui Tū Kaha, Mercury, Suntory Oceania, and many more.

Date: Tuesday 23 July 2024
Time: 10:30am-2:30pm
Location: Engineering Building, Lecture Theatre 401

Find out more by clicking the link below 🌟
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/student-support/academic-support/career-development-and-employability-services/cdes-events1/internship-graduate-expo.html

We invite you to the University of Auckland Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Finals on Friday, 2 August!

In a 3MT competition, doctoral candidates take up the challenge of sharing the story of their research with a general audience in under three minutes, supported by nothing more than a single, static slide. Come along for a fantastic evening of inspiring doctoral candidates presenting their research - including our faculty’s very own Qijia (Lilly) Peng and Isurie Akarawita!

Please click the link below to register by July 26 to reserve your spot.

University of Auckland Three Minute Thesis Competition 2024 An 80,000 word thesis would take nine hours to present. Our participants have just three minutes...

Postgraduate Engineering Forum: Meet our speakers!

Join us for an engaging evening with distinguished speakers presenting cutting-edge research, innovative educational methods, and expert professional insights. Ideal for prospective students, researchers, and industry professionals, this event offers valuable knowledge and networking opportunities. Don’t miss out and register now!

http://pgef2024.eventbrite.co.nz/

•Dr Garry Miller:
Director of the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering. He oversees multiple Master's programmes in technical and engineering management disciplines and will be covering the changes in postgraduate engineering education, emerging trends, and current programme options.

• Dr Minas Liarokapis:
Associate Professor of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering and Co-Founder/CTO of Acumino. He will explore a new approach to advanced robotic learning through human augmentation, building on his success at Jeff Bezos’ invite-only MARS 2024 conference.

• Dr Jenny Malmström:
Associate Dean (Research) and Associate Professor of Chemical and Materials at the University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field of research and will discuss how the faculty undertakes research, the support on offer, and examples of cutting-edge projects.

• James Bones:
Senior Technical Director and Operations Manager at Beca. With over 30 years of global experience and overseeing a team of 200, he will be sharing insights on career development and industry management experience.

• Luke Spencer:
Business Development Manager for Digital Technology and Space at UniServices. He connects university researchers with industry experts to advance business goals through research opportunities. His topic will address the commercialisation of research ideas and share his expertise across the industry field.

AECOM Aurecon Babcock Australia & New Zealand Beca Contact Energy Downer NZ Ergo EROAD Limited Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Fulton Hogan GHD Group Harrison Grierson Honeywell Stantec WSP in New Zealand

Postgraduate Engineering Forum | University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering.

Join us for the University of Auckland's Faculty of Engineering- Postgraduate Engineering Forum. Discover the latest updates from our faculty, learn more about our facilities, postgraduate programmes, and research opportunities, and gain insight on how to commercialise ideas by collaborating with the Faculty and UniServices.

Our speakers Minas Liarokapis, Garry Miller, Jenny Malmstrom, Luke Spencer and James Bones will provide you with the knowledge to thrive and keep your skills relevant in an ever-changing world.

Come along and engage with like-minded peers at our City Campus, expand your network in a dynamic setting, and enjoy the refreshments provided.

Don't miss this opportunity – secure your spot today!

Register here: PGEF2024.eventbrite.co.nz

AECOM Aurecon Beca Contact Energy Downer NZ Babcock Australia & New Zealand EROAD
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Fulton Hogan GHD Group Harrison Grierson Honeywell Stantec
WSP in New Zealand Ergo

Postgraduate Engineering Forum Join us for the University of Auckland's Faculty of Engineering- Postgraduate Engineering Forum.

Missed the 1 July deadline but still interested in applying for an exchange in Semester One 2025? 🌏

The late application round for Semester One 2025 exchanges is now open, and will close at 11:59pm, Sunday 4 August 2024. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].

Find out more and apply by clicking the link below.

How to get started - The University of Auckland Follow these steps to prepare your application for exchange.

Congratulations to final year BE(Hons) student in Structural Engineering, Douglas Sartori Gonçalves, who has played a pivotal role for the winning team in this year’s ArchEngBuild Challenge!

The challenge brought together 30 of New Zealand’s top architecture, engineering and construction students to design an affordable and sustainable housing development in the heart of Ōtautahi, Christchurch in just 48 hours. Douglas and fellow winners Ella Knapton (Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington) and Francis Orendain (Western Institute of Technology) were awarded a $10,000 group prize for their innovative design.

“Our design was quite innovative and forward thinking. We designed units to be able to be expanded and have an adaptable layout while maintaining structural integrity during a seismic event, and in such a way that could be easily fixed in case of a major earthquake event,” says Douglas.

“In the future, I aspire to be a leader in the field of structural engineering, not just focusing on technical aspects, but also being actively involved in the broader scope of the field. I also want to have my own practice where I am engaged in projects that are both architecturally beautiful and challenging.”

Read more by clicking the link below.

Innovative housing design wins top prize in 48-hour challenge - The University of Auckland Engineering student Douglas Sartori Gonçalves helped spearhead the design for a sustainable housing development as part of the winning team in the ArchEngBuild challenge.

Join us at our Part I and Part II Assistance Centre sessions, running from Week 2 through to Week 12! 📚

The Faculty of Engineering employs current, high-achieving Part II, III, and IV students to provide free academic assistance and tutoring to Part I and Part II students on a drop-in basis, covering all Part I and Part II courses of each semester.

Location: Leech Study Area on Level 3 of Building 401 (Engineering Building), 20 Symonds Street. For more information, including operating hours, please visit the links below.

Part I Assistance Centre:
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/engineering/current-students/student-support/part-i-assistance-centre.html

Part II Assistance Centre:
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/engineering/current-students/student-support/part-ii-assistance-centre.html

If you have any questions, please contact Lili Posada, at [email protected], and Lil Atalili, at [email protected].

Ella Wyllie, Civil Engineering student at the University of Auckland and professional cyclist, is currently competing for her professional team Liv-AlUla Jayco in the eight-stage Giro d’Italia Women in Italy. Her focus will then turn to the eight-stage Tour de France Femmes which takes place between August 12-18; a race in which she finished second in the U23 standings and 16th in the general classification in 2023.

“I used to watch the Tour de France when I was younger, with my brothers on the couch and to suddenly have a woman’s edition and for it to be growing in size every year, it was just awesome to be there.”

“It’s definitely been quite a balance over the years. As I’ve had more opportunities with cycling, it’s been about how I incorporate studying to be balanced because I still really value that side and I’m more than just a cyclist. It’s been pretty tricky. It’s definitely something I have to work on actively.”

Read more by clicking the link below.

The road rises up to meet Ella Auckland cyclist Ella Wyllie is building with her team to the women's Tour de France, and will be a reserve for our Olympic road team

Dynamic wireless charging technology allows electric vehicles to charge while in motion, offering a promising solution to the limitations of fixed charging stations. A survey conducted by doctoral candidate Ramesh Majhi and Senior Lecturer Prakash Ranjitkar, from the Faculty of Engineering, along with Senior Research Fellow, Selena Sheng from the Business School explores the public’s views of wireless charging technology.

The results showed that 93 percent of respondents are optimistic about dynamic wireless charging technology and are interested in trying it. However, the findings have also revealed concerns regarding data privacy, electromagnetic radiation, and potential associated costs.

Read more by clicking the link below.
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2024/06/24/kiwi-drivers-ready-to-embrace-wireless-ev-technology-.html

Networking can result in opportunities, knowledge and support. It is a powerful tool, crucial to success in any industry. But how do we get past feeling anxious, awkward or transactional? By reframing your perspective, leading with how you can be helpful to others, you can build genuine, long-lasting professional connections.

Join us for the third Connect and Develop talk for 2024 on Tuesday, 23 July, where University of Auckland 40 Under 40 and self-confessed introvert, Dr Thomas Scelo, shares practical ways to form connections no matter how you think you feel about networking. Whether you’re a student, staff or alumni – this free professional development webinar series is for everyone!

Find out more and register by clicking the link below.

July 23 | Make networking work for you - The University of Auckland Reframe your perspective on networking to build genuine, long-lasting professional connections.

With the rapid growth of New Zealand’s space industry comes an increasing importance in extending our environmental responsibilities beyond Earth. Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, Priyanka Dhopade explores ways to shift the paradigm and move forward.

“Our presence in space mirrors our ambitions and fallacies. We are being presented with a choice of priorities for New Zealand’s future. Let us choose wisely”.

Read more by clicking the link below.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/07/01/in-space-as-it-is-on-earth-nz-has-environmental-duties/

Applications for the Kupe Leadership Scholarship are now open!

If you're ready to step up in your leadership journey, this is the perfect opportunity to take your study further. Access a stipend of up to $22,000 and tuition fees for one academic year*, a bespoke leadership programme, and be matched to a personal mentor in your field.

The scholarship is empowering Tessa Brunton, a 2024 John W Turnbull Engineering Kupe Scholar and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) student, to explore how she can make a meaningful impact in her industry.

“As a future leader, I aspire to critically challenge the status quo and champion initiatives which produce tangible results. Traditional aid and development has had limited success. The time has come to turn to new models which return the focus to affected communities, creating space for people to direct their own futures and shape their own development.”

Find out how to apply by clicking the link below 🌟
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-types/postgraduate-scholarships/kupe-leadership-scholarships.html

Are you interested in joining a club? Come and join us at our Engineering Clubs BBQ, explore our variety of clubs, and sign up!

Free BBQ provided and a relaxing afternoon guaranteed!

The Apollo programme returns 8-10 July! 💫

Register now and take part in a FREE 3-day workshop for year 12/13 Māori and Pasifika students studying NCEA level 3 Calculus.

Grow your knowledge of advanced mathematics and experience the possibilities of Engineering at the University of Auckland!

Be quick! Spaces are limited. Link in bio!

Mānawa maiea te putanga o Matariki, celebrate the rising of Matariki ✨

Today we celebrate the rising of the Matariki star cluster – marking the beginning of the Māori new year. As the Matariki star cluster (also known as the Pleiades) reappears in our night sky, it signifies a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and plan for the year ahead.

Read about how Engineering students Awhi, Ariana, and Mia celebrate Matariki – and what it means to them 🌟

As we continue today’s celebration of our incredible women engineers, we're excited to spotlight Associate Professor Jenny Malmström, the Faculty of Engineering’s newly appointed Associate Dean (Research) – with a glimpse into her impactful work and passion for research 🌟

“I don’t come from an academic family, and I don’t think I knew what an engineer was when I was growing up, but when I decided to study at university, engineering felt like an excellent fit to my interests. Engineering is really all about applying science to solving real-world problems, which definitely resonates with me.”

“I work in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. Our research focuses on things like sustainable use of resources, new materials for future energy production and storage, water filtration and how to optimise industrial chemical processes, to mention a few.”

“In my research group, we work on designing and making materials that interface with biology. For example, we make gels that we grow heart cells in (with collaborators at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences) to help us understand how the heart cells respond to changes in the material properties, similar to those that occur after a heart attack.”

“I am ridiculously excited about research in general and really love all the projects we are working on. I particularly enjoy being challenged to apply my knowledge in a new setting and to try to grasp new ideas.”

“Engineering has a lot to offer in terms of breadth of education, which leads to meaningful and impactful job opportunities. If you are interested in engineering but feeling uncertain, then I would say to just give it a go! A keen interest and bit of ‘grit’ will take you a long way and we would love to see more women engineers.”

Happy International Women in Engineering Day to all of our extraordinary women engineers here at the Faculty of Engineering, and across the globe! Today, we honour the remarkable work and contributions of our women engineers and their influence on shaping a brighter future 💜

We’re starting the day by featuring some of our inspiring female Engineering students and recent graduates and their aspirations in the world of engineering 🌟

Join us in celebrating by letting us know what your engineering aspirations are or by tagging a women engineer who inspires you, in the comments below!

Dame Miriam Dell, botanist, teacher, suffragist and mentor, was born on 14 June 1924. In recognition of her work, the Association for Women in the Sciences (AWIS), of which she was a Patron, invites you to celebrate all women in science on the 100th anniversary of her birth, on Friday 14 June, from 10:00am-12:00pm.

Women in STEM across New Zealand will share stories of their female scientist heroines and mentors during a 90-minute webinar. WEN and AUWS are hosting a viewing of the webinar on campus, with light refreshments to allow people to gather and network before the webinar starts. All University of Auckland staff and students are welcome.

Register by clicking the link below!
https://events.humanitix.com/celebrate-dell-day

University of Auckland climbs in 2025 QS World University Rankings The University of Auckland has achieved its highest ranking in the QS World University Ranking system in more than a decade.

Adjunct Professor Peter Beck, Founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, has taken New Zealand's aerospace sector to new heights and received recognition in the 2024 Kings Birthday Honours, where Sir Peter Beck was appointed as a Knight Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for services to the aerospace industry business and education.

"I really see this recognition as not just for me – it's all the engineers and scientists in both the New Zealand space industry and the entrepreneurial network of New Zealand," Peter said in a recent interview with 1News.

The national space industry alone employs about 5,000 people, increasing our economy by $1.7b annually, with the opportunity to expand on a global scale. That, however, depends on you, as New Zealand needs passionate leaders like you to grow our aerospace sector to its full potential.

Read more about Peter's interview on 1News here: https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/06/03/space-entrepreneur-ex-telecom-boss-among-kings-birthday-honours-recipients/

To find out more about aerospace engineering and download the information pack, head to:
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/find-a-study-option/master-of-aerospace-engineering-maerospaceeng.html

Space entrepreneur, ex-Telecom boss among King's Birthday Honours recipients From entrepreneurs who've paved the way for women in the boardroom, to a Kiwi with his sights set on flying to Mars, some of our best are now dames and sirs.

University of Auckland engineering Alumnus Alex Kendall, co-founder of Wayve, an artificial intelligence start-up, raised $1.7b toward cutting-edge technology for self-driving vehicles, stating that "self-driving vehicles are the space race of this generation and will completely change society."

In contrast to other AI models from OpenAI and Google, Wayve's embodied AI equips robotic systems to interact and learn from their surroundings, enhancing the safety of assisted and automated driving. The funding was led by a Japanese firm, SoftBank Group, and Microsoft and Nvidia Corporation, “This investment will help us launch our AI products and expand globally. It sends a signal to the market of the strength of the AI ecosystem,” Alex shared.

The software utilises cameras, sensors and technology to equip self-driving vehicles to make real-time decisions by actively learning from and engaging with their environment and surroundings. Wayve continues to reshape the AI industry and inspire the next generations of engineers, adding that “the ability to move is central to our happiness, and self-driving cars will make this safe, accessible and efficient.”

After graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in mechatronics engineering with a University of Auckland 40 under 40 award and a spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 list, he completed his PhD at Trinity College Cambridge in computer vision and robotics. He co-founded Wayve in 2017, which has since grown to 300 employees. Alex's journey from academia to entrepreneurship serves as a testament to the potential of engineering and the development of a new age of technology.

Read more of Alex Kendall's story here: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2024/05/09/engineering-alum-alex-kendalls-ai-start-up-wayve.htm.html

Engineering alum Alex Kendall’s AI start-up Wayve raises $1.7b - The University of Auckland Wayve's funding will be used to develop and launch the first “embodied AI” technology for self-driving vehicles.

Don’t miss out on a FREE Breakfast hosted by the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Creative Arts & Industries this Thursday!

Be there early as it’s first come, first served!

Check out the details below:
 
📅 Date: Thursday, 9 May
🕘 Time: 9-10 am
📍 Location: Engineering Neon Foyer, Building 401 (next to lecture theatre 401-439)
 
Join us for a delightful start to your day! See you there!

Xichen Chen graduated from the University of Auckland at yesterday's graduation ceremony with a PhD in Engineering.

She reflected on her journey when asked about her experience, stating, “I hadn’t initially planned to pursue a PhD and doubted my ability to see it through. But this journey has taught me not to fear the unknown until I’ve given it a chance, and I’ve discovered that I'm capable of far more than I once thought. Sometimes more patience, persistence and another attempt are all it takes.”

Her decision to pursue higher education, influenced by personal challenges, shaped her engineering career in unexpected ways. Over four and a half years, she completed her PhD thesis on adopting digital technology in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). Despite facing hurdles, such as disruptions due to COVID-19, Xichen's research yielded significant results, including six high-quality journal articles.

Her work addresses the critical gaps in understanding digital transformation's practical implementation and societal impact in the AEC industry. She emphasises the need for the sector to evolve towards a more innovative, sustainable, and digitally driven future in response to global challenges like urbanisation, climate change, and an aging workforce.

After finishing her master's in structural engineering and gaining experience in Beijing, she pursued a PhD in engineering. Her drive came from wanting to reunite with her husband in New Zealand after enduring a long-distance relationship while he completed his PhD studies.

Read more about her story here:

From long-distance hurdles to doctoral success - The University of Auckland Xichen Chen's unexpected choice to pursue a PhD came amid personal challenges that have helped to shape her engineering career.

Thank you to all those who attended the first information evening of our 2024 Engineering Info Evening series on Tuesday! We look forward to welcoming you into our faculty as students in the near future.

If you missed our first Info Evening, we have another one coming up in Auckland on Tuesday 14 May, followed by our final one in Wellington, on Thursday 16 May. This is the perfect opportunity for you to learn about what it’s like studying Engineering at the University of Auckland and get your questions answered 🌟

Click the link below to register!
https://response.auckland.ac.nz/EIE24

Discover how your breathing influences your direct experience of life. Learn from Breathwork Coach and Psychology Researcher, Scott Townsend, to switch from ‘auto-pilot’ to ‘conscious-pilot’ with your breath at any moment and change your mental, emotional, or physical state 🧘🏼‍♀️

When: Tuesday 7 May, 2:00-3:00pm
Where: Room 423-340

Click the link below or scan the QR code to find out more and register!
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/engineering-wellness-series-breathing-tickets-794990537097?aff=oddtdtcreator

Safeguarding the health of our staff and students is a priority for the University, and as we approach the winter months there will be flu vaccination pop-ups across our campuses.

The cost of this for our currently enrolled students and staff with a permanent or fixed-term employment will be covered by the University.

To make a booking, click the link below!
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/notices/2024/flu-vaccination.html

The Faculty of Engineering’s Student Development and Engagement Team is looking to recruit a team of Part II Engineering students to write about their insights and experiences with their specialisation 💬

As a Part II Blogger, you’ll be required to post around six posts each semester. This will be an on-going commitment for the rest of the year, and we’re seeking individuals who can bring creative flair and enthusiasm to their work 🌟

To apply to become a Part II Blogger, click here: https://forms.office.com/r/dTyKbQxWeZ?origin=lprLink

To visit the Part II Blog, click here:
https://student-editorials.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/

Applications to become a Part II Blogger close on Tuesday, 28 May. For more information, please send an email to [email protected]