Postgraduate students showcase their work

Postgraduate Engineering students recently had the opportunity to present their work to potential employers and research partners at the 2011 UQ Engineering Postgraduate Research Conference, held on June 6.

The conference allowed employers to view the latest presentations from Research Higher Degree (RHD) students studying within the Schools of Chemical Engineering, Mechanical and Mining Engineering, Civil Engineering, Information Technology and Electrical Engineering and the Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC).

Doctoral candidate in the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, Rajinesh Singh, said the conference provided postgraduate students with the chance to present their research to academia and industry, while networking at the same time.

“The annual engineering postgraduate conference presents a great opportunity for students to interact socially and network with academics, industry guests, and colleagues from other engineering schools,” he said.

“Overall, attendees found the conference very successful and believed it showcased the great culture of scholarship and excellence in engineering at UQ.

“It enabled work to be critiqued, enhanced presentation skills, and developed professional networks that contribute to their professional development.”

Conjoint Professor at the University of Newcastle and a member of the Facility of Engineering Advisory Committee, Dr John Wright addressed the conference attendees on opportunities offered by higher degrees.

“A higher degree should be looked on as a ‘ticket’ to take you to a variety of places – the only limits are those you set for yourself,” he said.

“Careers are always a mixture of taken (and lost) opportunities with considerable planning along the way and I think it’s important not to be too focussed on the ‘planned’ side, because sometimes the spontaneous choice is the more exciting and rewarding.”

Media: Madelene Flanagan (m.flanagan@uq.edu.au or 3365 8525) or Rajinesh Singh