Mr Stephen Nuske, Bachelor of Engineering (Software) (Hons 2A), 2005, says:
Working with some of the very smart and gifted students and staff at UQ really made me raise my own standards during my university studies.
I chose to study a Bachelor of Engineering for a number of reasons, including good employment options, the challenging nature of the work and the fact that it is a well respected profession.
I believe that your university years are all about finding a happy medium between having fun and doing work. I really enjoyed undertaking the engineering thesis course as it gave me the opportunity to develop original work. I also felt a sense of achievement when I received the Dean's commendation for high achievement and by publishing some of my work in the Australasian Conference for Robotics.
My involvement with RoboRoos, the ITEE robotic soccer team gave me the chance to travel to Portugal to compete in the world robotics cup. This was an experience that really opened my eyes to possibilities I'd never previously considered. I would definitely like to work overseas at some point in my career.
I am now enrolled in a PhD at UQ in the area of Artificial Intelligence.
Mr Philip Dick, Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) (Hons 1)/Bachelor of Science (Computer Science), 2005, says:
The skills and knowledge I have acquired while studying in the Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) program at UQ are applicable in so many different areas. I plan to direct my career in the areas of prototype development of embedded systems or the practical implementation of signal/image processing systems.
The great thing about this program is that it offers courses across all areas of my academic interest. I enjoy the courses that have a strong emphasis on practical applications of theory, and my studies have exposed me to areas I have not previously experienced, such as image processing and microcontrollers.
I received the Dean's commendation for high achievement, which wouldn't have been possible without a whole bunch of hard work and support from family, tutors and academic staff.
UQ offers a great number of study options across the various disciplines of
engineering. I was attracted to UQ due to its reputation of prestige and its
convenient location.
Brent Singer, Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) (Hons 2A)/Bachelor of Science (CompSc), 2003, says:
Engineering at UQ boasts exceptional equipment and staff that are approachable and friendly. The classes I take are small and comfortable - before long you know the lecturer by first name.
With the help of one such lecturer, I teamed up with a partner from outside the University to work on a project involving my electronics specialty. Together we pioneered a medical device to help the treatment of geriatric, paediatric and intensive care patients.
In the latter part of 2002 my partner and I successfully competed
in the UQ Business School's Enterprize Competition, and won $100,000 to
use in the further development and commercialisation of our product!
UQ Engineering is a good choice for a student who wants to pursue a career in the technology industry. I was able to study advanced subjects and specialise in the fields that I see as more interesting and enjoyable. The subjects are well planned and executed. There are regular compulsory major team projects - challenges that test all your acquired knowledge over many fields and sharpen teamwork skills that are essential in a workplace.
In his final year, Brent said that he believed that his B.Eng(Elec)/B.Sc(Comp) degree would place him above other technology graduates when he joined the exciting and innovative technology sector.
Brent (left) and
partner John Perrier (centre) receive their
$100,000 prize
from Queensland Minister for Innovation and Information Economy,
Paul Lucas in 2002.
Dr Ashley Robinson, UQ Young Alumnus of the Year, 2002, says
I completed my UQ Engineering degree in 1991 having specialised in communications, in particular RF/microwave electromagnetics.
I found the lecturers and tutors very knowledgable and helpful in each of their
own areas of expertise.
Following graduation, I was encouraged by my undergraduate thesis supervisor to undertake PhD studies in microwave engineering. I was fortunate to also work part time at a Brisbane microwave communications company, Mitec. This combination of work and study allowed me to expertise in this field while still receiving valuable work experience.
During my PhD studies I received a scholarship from Telstra that allowed me to extend my research at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) for a few months. While I was at Caltech I sat in on their graduate level microwave engineering subject and was pleased to see that I had learnt most of the same things during my undergraduate course at UQ.
I am now the Director of Engineering at Micreo, a Brisbane based microwave-photonics company. At Micreo we are continually moving into the photonics field. The learning skills I gained while studying at UQ assist me now in understanding this new technology. At Micreo we have a good relationship with staff and students in Engineering.
As an employer, I hold UQ graduates in the highest regard and know that an applicant with a UQ degree will be competitive technically with graduates from other universities worldwide.
Ashley (left) receives the Young Alumnus of the Year award from UQ Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Hay, AO.