Engineering Alumni News
December 2011 | A Newsletter for Engineering Alumni | Number 26
and innovation in the practical application of
technology.
The Faculty is also proud to acknowledge the
work of Professor Neil Broom, Associate
Professor Margaret Hyland and Dr Ashvin
Thambyah in receiving two prestigious
Marsden grants.
Professor Michael C.R. Davies
Message from the
Dean
What a year 2011 has been! We have
witnessed in New Zealand, and further afield,
natural hazards on an unprecedented scale,
earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and floods
all reminding us of the awesome power of
nature and the challenge this represents for
the next generation of Engineers.
I am extremely proud of the fact that as a
Faculty we have been at the frontline of some
of these events, offering support and expertise
and a willingness to find ways to improve and
enhance.
As a discipline, Engineering continues to grow
in both breadth and depth and I would like to
make a special mention of a project
undertaken by our fourth year students early in
Semester two. The “Systems thinking week”
was the result of a lot of hard work and
innovation by a small team of Faculty staff and
a visiting academic, Professor Keith Robinson,
from University College London.
The program was created in recognition of the
increased need for Engineers to be more
capable and more confident when operating in
today’s advanced multifaceted business
environment. The group hoped to see
engineering lifted to another level, exploring
how different disciplines can be integrated and
managed together to form robust, complex
solutions which meet the needs of today’s
society.
The Faculty has seen several new programs
introduced in 2011, notably the Master of
Energy and the Master of Engineering Studies
in Medical Devices and Technologies. Next
year we are introducing the Master of
Engineering studies in Food Process
Engineering and a Master of Engineering
Studies in Yacht Engineering.
Next year will see changes to the heads of two
departments. Professor Gordon Mallinson will
be stepping down as Head of Mechanical
Engineering after seven years and Professor
Neil Broom from Chemical and Material
Engineering after three years. I am
tremendously grateful for their contributions to
their respective departments and the wider
Faculty. Gordon and Neil will be succeeded by
Professor Brian Mace and Professor Brent
Young respectively.
We have also had the retirement this year of
two of the Faculty’s notable academics,
Professor Ian Collins and Professor Andrew
Pullan, both from the Department of
Engineering Science.
More broadly I am pleased to note that the
Faculty continues to perform well at an
International level. We have maintained
strong links with our Group of Eight (GO8)
Universities colleagues in Australia and were
very pleased to be able to host their meeting
at the Faculty earlier in the year. We continue
to be the only New Zealand University invited
to be an associate member of the GO8 Dean
of Engineering Group. We have also
performed strongly in the QS World University
Rankings and as a Faculty are ranked 62nd in
the world, the only New Zealand Engineering
Faculty to make the top 100.
2011 has been a good year for prizes in the
Faculty and I would like to pay particular
tribute to Professor David Ryan who stepped
down from the position of Deputy Dean
midyear. David was recently awarded the
Pickering Medal which recognises excellence
It has also been a very successful year for
some of our recent graduates. Jeffrey Hawke
and Karishma Sharma have been awarded
Fulbright-Ministry of Science and Innovation
Graduate awards. The scholarships are worth
more than US$25,000 and are awarded to
promising New Zealand graduate students to
undertake postgraduate study or research at
United States institutions.
Perhaps the most significant event in the
Faculty, and indeed The University, this year is
the multimillion dollar deal that Qualcomm, a
major US research and development company
specialising in wireless communications,
undertook with the University to acquire
exclusive rights in and to certain wireless
electrical vehicle charging technology
pioneered by Professor John Boys and
Associate Professors Grant Covic and Udaya
Madawala from the Faculty of Electrical and
Computer Engineering.
I am also pleased to note that thanks to an
endowment from Mighty River Power we will
be establishing a Chair in Geothermal
Reservoir Engineering. This will support the
rebirth of the University’s internationally
renowned geothermal institute which is a
cross-faculty centre with a focus on research
and education related to the exploration and
utilisation of geothermal energy resources.
Finally I would like to say thank you to all our
alumni who turned out in support of our
Annual Alumni Dinner. We were very pleased
with the turn out during one of the most
important months in New Zealand’s sporting
calendar. It was a fitting way to start the
weekend which saw the All Blacks defeat
France (and Wales overthrow Namibia!). As
those of you, who were there will recall, I
almost had my dream of a Wales vs. New
Zealand final come true!
I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a
safe and happy New Year.
Faculty News
Professor David Ryan
awarded top Royal
Society award
Professor David Ryan FRSNZ received
one of the top awards at the 2011
New Zealand Research Honours
Dinner in Wellington. Hosted by the
Royal Society of New Zealand, the
dinner celebrates achievements by
top New Zealand researchers.
Professor Ryan was awarded the Pickering
Medal which recognises excellence and
innovation in the practical application of
technology.
He is New Zealand’s leading authority on
operations research and this country’s most
influential contributor to the field. Professor
Ryan is best known for developing the
innovative ‘Ryan-Foster constraint branching’
technology which is now a fundamental
component of optimisation software used
worldwide for solving complex logistics
problems. This technology revolutionised the
optimisation landscape by dramatically
increasing the range and size of problems to
which optimisation could be applied.
In New Zealand, Professor Ryan’s methods
have allowed a new range of practical
real-world problems to be solved.
Two new Chairs
appointed in Food
Processing
The Faculty has appointed two new
Chairs in Food Processing. Professor
Brent Young (Industrial Information
and Control Centre) has been
appointed to the first Chair and
earlier this year in July, the Faculty
welcomed Professor Murat Balaban.
These appointments are part of the
new Food and Health Programme at
The University.
Murat Balaban joined the Faculty in July from
the University of Alaska where he was
Professor and Director of the Fisheries
Industrial Technology Center. He has extensive
experience of food processing techniques.
Recent research projects to automate the
objective evaluation of food quality include the
visual, textural and odour characteristics of
foods, measured and evaluated with
instruments. Previously Murat was Codirector
of the Juice and Beverage Center at the
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| The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
Professor David Ryan
For example, he has collaborated with Air New
Zealand for more than 20 years to
commercially exploit his technology. He
developed pioneering optimisation software
that is now used by the airline to optimally
schedule flight crews. The savings from these
optimisers were estimated in 2000 as being
more than NZ$15 million per year.
He has recently worked with Air New Zealand
to develop robust solutions that can reduce the
impact of disruptions, work which is regarded
as ground-breaking and possibly the first
airline implementation of this new technology.
University of Florida (2005-08). Some examples
of the commercial application of his research
include: the reduction of yield loss during
shrimp cooking, application of modified
atmospheric gases to improve fish shelf life,
and improving the quality of coffee beans
through enzymes.
Professor Young has been with the Faculty
since 2006, where he is the Director of the
Industrial Information and Control Centre
(I2C2).
Professor Murat Balaban
In February 2011 he was appointed Professor
of Food Process Engineering. Previously at the
University of Calgary and the University of
Technology, Sydney, his research focuses on the
use of mathematical modelling to help
companies design and optimise their
manufacturing processes. His research has
particular application for food processing and
energy conservation and his work on process
simulation and control has been used by food
and energy companies to improve their
production processes. He has co-authored over
200 refereed publications including the book
“A Real-time Approach to Process Control”,
published by John Wiley (2nd Edition, 2006).
Professor Brent Young
At the forefront of
global electric vehicle
technology
In by far the most significant
technology transfer deal ever
achieved by a New Zealand university,
car travel worldwide is set to be
transformed by revolutionary
technology developed by the Faculty.
Qualcomm, a major US research and
development company specialising in wireless
communications, has acquired exclusive rights
to wireless electric vehicle charging technology
developed by The Faculty of Engineering.
Electric vehicles are predicted to begin an
accelerated penetration into the automotive
market by 2015.
Inductive Power Technology (IPT) was pioneered
by the Faculty’s Professor John Boys and
Associate Professors Grant Covic and Udaya
Madawala from the Power Electronics Group.
They have led the world in developing systems
to transmit electric power efficiently across air
gaps without using wires.
Qualcomm also acquired the assets and
technology of spinout company HaloIPT. The
company was set up in a partnership with
international engineering firm Arup, the
TransTasman Commercialisation Fund and the
New Zealand Venture Investment Fund’s SCIF
program to develop IPT technology
commercially for cars by building prototypes,
establishing standards and making the
technology reliable. In the deal HaloIPT’s staff
joined the Qualcomm company.
“It is an outstanding example of how
fundamental curiosity-driven research,
developed through painstaking investigation
and testing, was brought to market through
the region’s leading technology transfer
company, UniServices. This development path
can exist only in a research intensive globallyconnected University. It demonstrates the
ability of universities to influence the future in
a radical and positive manner, and to bring
global benefits.
“The scientific brilliance and diligence of
Professor Boys and his colleagues, plus the
commercial savviness of UniServices make for
an unbeatable combination,” said Professor
McCutcheon.
“IPT will become the standard technology for
electric-powered vehicles. Vehicles fitted with
our technology will be able to charge overnight
using electricity generated by renewable
sources such as wind. Because there is a low
demand for electricity at night, little or no extra
installed generating capacity will be required
to power our fleet of electric vehicles,” said Dr
Peter Lee, Chief Executive of UniServices.
“We dealt with Qualcomm because of its track
record in establishing the universal global
standard for other technologies like mobile
phones. The likelihood of the technology being
successful or reaching global market is now
more likely with Qualcomm.
Zealand-based companies to become a part of
the high technology manufacturing required
for these systems.
“These local companies will have the
advantage of being close to the source of the
technology and access to many generations of
engineers who have graduated from our
University with an in-depth knowledge of the
underlying technology. We are already in
discussions with some of them to make sure
they are well positioned to capture benefit
from this development.
“We will generate financial benefits to further
advance IPT technology here in New Zealand
and at the University.”
Andrew Gilbert, executive vice president of
European Innovation Development at
Qualcomm, said, “we can look back with pride
and pleasure at how our two organisations
worked diligently to achieve a wireless power
solution.
“In the future I am greatly looking forward to
helping develop a long lasting and successful
collaboration with The University of Auckland
and Auckland UniServices.”
“This deal is fantastic news for New Zealand
– we are providing access to technology in
exchange for payments that will help ensure
future investment in New Zealand research.
There will be ample opportunity for New
The Faculty of Engineering and Auckland
UniServices Ltd, the University’s commercial
arm, will use the funds generated from the
transaction to invest in further research and
commercialisation, as well as sharing a portion
with the inventors in line with the University’s
intellectual property policy.
Qualcomm was impressed by the quality of
research at the University and through
UniServices will provide ongoing support for
IPT research at the University.
University Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the
UniServices Board, Professor Stuart
McCutcheon, said IPT technology, now set to
reduce the cost and environmental impact of
motoring on a massive scale, had started out
as fundamental research. “Merely tinkering
with plug-in cars, for example, would never
have led to Professors Boys and Covic
unearthing this fundamentally different
technology.
Associate Professor Grant Covic and Professor John Boys
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
3
Faculty News
Professor Andrew
Pullan retires from
the Department of
Engineering Science
Andrew holds a BSc (Hons) degree in
Mathematics from the University of Auckland.
He completed a PhD in the Department of
Engineering Science in 1988 under the
supervision of Professor Ian Collins. In 1989, at
age 24, Andrew joined the Department of
Engineering Science as a lecturer on a term
appointment, after a short stint as a financial
analyst at Winston’s/Fletcher Challenge.
Andrew became a prolific researcher with
research interests on the mathematical
MichaelofDaniell
modelling
biomedical structures including
the electrical function of the heart, skeletal and
smooth muscle with a major specific focus on
the gastrointestinal system in recent years.He
describes his very productive research group
as “being like family to him”. In 2010 Andrew
and his team were responsible for two patents,
13 journal articles and 24 conferences papers/
presentations. Andrew has many strong
international linkages including an adjunct
CONTINUED
position in the Department of Surgery at
Vanderbuilt University, and visiting
appointments at Oxford, University of
California, University of the Utah and Duke
University.
The impact and importance of Andrew’s work
was recognised in 2003 when he was awarded
a James Cook Research Fellowship – an award
which is widely regarded as New Zealand’s
most prestigious science and technology
award. Andrew’s cardiac modelling work is
documented in his 2005 book,
“Mathematically modelling electrical activity of
the heart - From Cell to Body Surface and Back
Again”. Andrew was promoted to the rank of
Professor in 2006 and elected as a Fellow of
the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2009.
Andrew became Head of the Department of
Engineering Science in 2008. He was a
dedicated Head of Department who edited a
beautiful book, “TAM to DES and Beyond in 45
Years: The Story of Engineering Science at The
University of Auckland” to celebrate the 40th
anniversary of students graduating from the
Department in 2008. Among his many other
initiatives Andrew also founded a contest for
high school students entitled “NZ’s Next Top
Professor Ian Collins
celebrates retirement
after more than 40
years of teaching
medals, in consecutive years, from The UK
Institute of Civil Engineers. In addition to this
he has been elected a Fellow of the Royal
Society of New Zealand and has published a
paper jointly with Professor Houlsby, Oxford in
1997, which has well over 100 citations.
In August the Faculty paid tribute to Professor
Ian Collins. Professor Collins first joined the
Faculty in 1981, taking on the role of Head of
Department for Engineering Science until
1991.
He has been awarded a number of overseas
Visiting Fellowships and Professorships at
Clare Hall Cambridge, Churchill College
Cambridge, Christchurch College, Oxford; and
Professorships at Kyushu University, Japan,
Tsinghua University, China, Johns Hopkins
University and the University of Minnesota in
the USA and Sydney, Australia.
Professor Collins career has been filled with
highlights. He has received three major
In his retirement he aims to contribute to the
work of the NZ Association of Rationalists and
Humanists, grow orchids, catch up on a lot of
reading, keep “deadlines” to a minimum and
spend more time with his four daughters and
two grandchildren.
Ian also has interests in understanding modern
‘Theories of the Universe’; not with a view of
contributing to the research, instead by writing
a review and issues paper.
Head of Department for Engineering Science,
Professor Mathias Ehrgott says “it is hard to
imagine the department without Ian.”
Professor Collins was born in England and
studied Mathematics at Cambridge University.
4
| The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
Engineering Scientist”.
Andrew’s retirement from the Department of
Engineering Science is on medical grounds and
will allow him to focus on his health and his
family after being diagnosed in June with
metastatic melanoma. Andrew’s ground
breaking research is continued by a team of 11
graduate students, post-doctoral researchers
and research assistants at The University of
Auckland.
Professor Andrew Pullan
After a stint working for the Admiralty
Research Laboratory in London’s Hampton
Court with engineers, Ian went back to
Cambridge to complete a PhD.
Once he attained his PhD he began teaching
at Manchester University. During his time
there he went on sabbatical in the United
States working at the US Steel Company in
Pennsylvania. When he returned to
Manchester he attended the Annual
Mechanical Conference, where he met Cecil
Segedin and Ian Medlan from The University
of Auckland. Segedin caught Professor Collins
attention as he discussed the Department of
Engineering Science, a balance of maths and
engineering, which Professor Collins had been
interested in.
Once Segedin announced his retirement
Professor Collins applied for the position. He
was successful and moved to Auckland with his
wife and daughters.
Professor Collins says his students showed him
genuine affection when he announced his
retirement.
“Helping students, both with their academic
studies and deciding on career goals, has
always been a priority. I will miss the
interactions with the students very much, but
in the end I decided it was time to move on.”
Leading the World;
The Yacht Research Unit
The Yacht Research Unit (YRU) was
established in 1987 with the primary
function of coordinating and
promoting yacht research and
engineering within the University of
Auckland.
Since that time the impact of the Yacht
Research Unit and the Faculty has been
phenomenal. Some world firsts include:
Building on recent successes and leveraging
existing world-class R&D, The University of
Auckland and partners are planning to build
an integrated, first-of-its-kind, Centre of
Excellence combining aerodynamic and yacht
facilities under one roof. The Yacht Research
Centre will house the world-leading Twisted
Flow Wind Tunnel, a large Boundary Layer
Wind Tunnel, a Towing Tank, a Computational
Fluid Dynamics Centre, a Design Centre for
industry, as well as meeting, lecture and
break-out rooms.
pConstruction of a wind tunnel with twisted
flow for testing sails; including advanced
optimisation methods into a Velocity
prediction program.
For further information on the new Masters of
Yacht Research visit:
pDevelopment of a real- time velocity
prediction program.
www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/
mengst-yacht
pDevelopment of a visual sail position and rig
shape system.
The Food and Health Programme, a major
interdisciplinary research and teaching
initiative of The University of Auckland, was
launched in May 2010.
The programme draws on specialist expertise
in food science, process engineering, nutrition,
health, social sciences, business and
commercialisation from across The University
of Auckland to improve health outcomes,
enhance innovation and growth in the New
Zealand food and beverage sector, discover
fundamental knowledge for future application
and provide high quality university-trained
graduates to the sector.
The University of Auckland is offering a new
one year master’s degree in Yacht Engineering
in 2012. Students will be able to join the programme
either in March or July of each year. The
programme will emphasise the aerodynamics
and hydrodynamics of both powered and
sailing craft, the consequent loads, stress
analysis, structural materials, design and the
associated manufacturing processes. Graduates will be expected to seek
employment as design and/or research
engineers within the yacht design sector. pThe application of computational fluid
dynamics to the flow around spinnakers.
The introduction of a new
specialisation in the Master of
Engineering Studies in Food Process
Engineering supports the goals of the
Food and Health Programme and will
attract new graduate students to The
University of Auckland.
The launch of the Masters of
Engineering Studies in Yacht
Engineering
Synergies with research into power boats,
pObtaining successful computational
solutions for the coupled structural/
aerodynamic behaviour of sails.
Launch of Food
Process Engineering
Research Masters
wind, vehicle aerodynamics, sports (e.g.
cycling, rowing, sailing) and energy (wave,
tidal, wind) will provide multidisciplinary study
yielding novel research outcomes and
programmatic solutions.
Engineering and Chemistry are already active
in this area, and recent appointments of two
Professors in Food Process Engineering and,
one Associate Professor in Food Science
strengthen expertise in these areas, where
strong collaboration already exists. Companies,
such as NZ Food Innovation Manukau and
Fonterra, have indicated their willingness to
assist with this specialisation.
The specialisation is primarily aimed at
engineers and food science professionals and
will provide them with the necessary
information covering the various topics that
underpin food manufacturing processes. It will
also provide advanced knowledge in food
process engineering practice and food product
development and innovation.
To best meet the needs of students with
different backgrounds, including those coming
from industry, the programme format is
provided as both a Research Masters and a
Taught Masters, with the latter including a
variety of engineering and food science
courses from a schedule that students can
draw upon to best address their own area of
interest. Through the appropriate choice of
core and elective papers, as well as research
topics, a food process development orientation
is envisaged for BE students and a food
product development direction is foreseen for
BSc or BTech or Food Science PG Diploma
students.
To ensure that students are exposed to the
rigours and challenges of applied research,
and that the degree satisfies the CUAP
Masters requirements, both options contain a
research component, which will involve working
with a research group or secondment to
industry. Both the research and taught
masters build upon two core courses,
described in the course prescriptions section,
that provide a coherent base for the
programme. These courses will have the
breadth to ensure students gain a wide
understanding of the range of skills needed to
successfully apply the outcomes of their
research and study in a commercial
environment.
For further information on the new Masters of
Engineering Studies in Food Process
Engineering visit:
www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/
mengst-food-process
The Departments of Chemical and Materials
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
5
Two lecturers awarded
doctorates at Spring
Graduation
Rick Henry, a lecturer in the Civil and
Environmental Engineering
Department and Mehdi Shahbazpour,
a lecturer in the Department of
Mechanical Engineering received
doctorates at Spring Graduation.
The Faculty awarded 201 qualifications during
the graduation ceremony held at the Auckland
Town Hall on 22 September. Rick and Mehdi
were among the 124 graduates from across
the University to receive PhDs.
Rick’s PhD research on self-centering precast
concrete walls could, in the future, mean
buildings are more likely to withstand
earthquakes with minimal structural damage,
reducing economic costs and heartache for
home and business owners.
“The current seismic design philosophy is
focused on life-safety and we allow controllable
damage of structures during an earthquake.
That works really well but it means the
economic costs are really high, and that is
what the people of Christchurch are suffering
from at the moment with all the demolitions
and rebuilding.
“It’s going from life-safety and collapse
prevention to more performance-based design
where we can also ensure that a structure
suffers minimal damage and can be
immediately reoccupied following a large
earthquake.”
Mehdi’s Shahbazpour PhD, which involved him
being imbedded in a manufacturing company,
investigated the dynamics of system and
process innovation in small and medium sized
manufacturing companies. Mehdi developed a
practical framework for initiating and
implementing strategic innovation for
manufacturing companies.
“My thesis was about developing a tool or
framework for New Zealand manufacturing
companies to help them come up with new
products and new processes,” he says. At
Mehdi’s graduation was his wife Zahra, their
three-year-old daughter Leyla, one year-old son
Daniel, his mother Mahin and father Nosrat.
Mehdi, who was born and partly schooled in
Iran, spent his high school years in Australia,
where his family moved so his father could
complete a PhD.
Dr Rick Henry
Pink Ribbon Day for
Breast Cancer
awareness
The Women In Engineering Network
(WEN) proudly supported this year’s
annual Pink Ribbon Day for The New
Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation on
14 October.
The foundation provides breast health and
breast cancer education and awareness
programmes, research and medical grants,
community outreach grants and advocacy to
help the one in nine New Zealand women
diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Students and employees in the Faculty got to
show their support by wearing pink and
6
| The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
Dr Mehdi Shahbazpour
Rick, who spent several weeks in Christchurch
following the February earthquake working on
his reinforced concrete building design
research, says he hopes that self-centering
precast concrete walls will be used in the city’s
rebuild.
Between them, University Chancellor Roger
France and Pro-Chancellor Dr Ian Parton
personally conferred 1880 degrees and
diplomas, bestowing the rest (828) “in
absentia” on those who could not attend.
Speakers at the ceremonies included the
Auckland Museum’s new director Roy Clare,
Epsom Girls Grammar School principal
Madeline Gunn, and Counties Manukau
District Health Board CEO Geraint Martin.
“It was my father’s dream that one of us would
do a PhD. My other siblings have bachelor
degrees and are very successful in their
careers as well. I had the opportunity to do
both so I took it.”
donating to the Women in Engineering
Network stand, set up in the Faculty atrium
foyer.
This year, in exchange for donations, there was
all the usual Pink Ribbon merchandise with
some special extras:
pHot chocolate with mini marshmallows
pPink cupcakes
pA performance by The University of
Auckland Acappella Chorus
After a successful day and the support of the
students and Faculty this year the WEN
volunteers successfully collected around
$2,000 to contribute to the New Zealand
Breast Cancer Foundation.
WEN members Ying Yang, Imee Tribo,
and Lily Feng
Research
Engineering has
success in Marsden
Fund round
Two research teams from the Faculty
were successful in the 2011 Marsden
Fund round, winning more than $1.24
million between them.
University of Auckland that were awarded a
total of $12.5 million over three years.
Applications to the Marsden Fund are
extremely competitive. Of the 1,078
preliminary proposals submitted from across
New Zealand, only 88 were ultimately funded.
“The Marsden Fund supports leading-edge
research, which creates economic growth and
increases our understanding of issues, from
medical advancements to social change and
development,” said Marsden Fund Council
chairman Professor Peter Hunter in announcing
the results. “Most breakthroughs around the
world come from this basic science end of the
research spectrum, which is what makes the
Marsden Fund both exciting to be part of, and
vital for New Zealand to invest in.”
Professor Neil Broom and Dr Ashvin Thambyah
(joint investigator) from the Department of
Chemical and Materials Engineering, have
been awarded $415,000 for a mechanobiology
and joint tissue degeneration research project.
Associate Professor Margaret Hyland, also
from the Department of Chemical and
Materials Engineering, received $830,000 to
explore the chemistry of interfaces to enhance
adhesion.
Margaret was thankful to the Faculty in
helping prepare for the proposal. “The support
I received from the Research Office and the
Faculty in preparing both the preliminary and
full proposals was invaluable. The mock panel
helped me clarify the novelty of the idea. The
editorial assistance was critical in helping me
sharpen the writing and fit the essential points
into a limited space.“
Margaret, Neil and Ashvin are part of the
nineteen research teams from across The
Dr Ashvin Thambyah, Professor Neil Broom and Associate Professor Margaret Hyland
Chair in Geothermal
Reservoir Engineering
announced
Mighty River Power is investing in the
continued development of New
Zealand’s expertise and research into
geothermal power generation by
entering into an agreement with The
University of Auckland to sponsor a
newly established Chair in
Geothermal Reservoir Engineering.
Mighty River Power’s General Manager
Development, Mark Trigg, said the Company’s
sponsorship would provide funding of
$1 million over a five year period to the role –
known as the Mighty River Power Chair in
Geothermal Reservoir Engineering - supporting
the rebirth of The University’s internationally
renowned Geothermal Institute.
“The University of Auckland is among the top
Universities in the world for geothermal
engineering research and education – an area
of high importance to our business. The
reestablishment of the Geothermal Institute
will provide vital impetus to the building of
New Zealand’s geothermal capacity, both in
terms of a greater number of graduates with
the skills sought by Mighty River Power, and
also in building a greater depth of geothermal
knowledge in New Zealand,” said Mr Trigg.
Professor Michael Davies, Dean of the Faculty
of Engineering, said the Geothermal Institute is
a cross-faculty centre with a focus on research
and education related to the exploration and
utilisation of geothermal energy resources.
“Since 1978, more than 850 students from over
50 countries have graduated from the
Geothermal Institute with a world recognised
qualification in geothermal energy – with many
graduates going on to become leaders in the
industry. We recognise the important role the
University has to play in the Government’s
plan for geothermal development and are very
pleased that Mighty River Power’s support and
expertise will take us closer to fulfilling that
role,” he said.
Mighty River Power is recognised as one of the
world’s leading geothermal developers,
investing over $1 billion over the past five
years in domestic geothermal developments
and deploying a further $466 million to
construct the new Ngatamariki power station
near Taupo. The Company also has projects in
the US, Chile and Germany through its
investment in the GeoGlobal Energy (GGE)
Fund - the first of which, Hudson Ranch Power I
in the Imperial Valley of Southern California,
will come to market in 2012.
A search panel, including a representative
from Mighty River Power, will be established to
appoint the Chair, with applications expected
from all over the world. It is anticipated the
new professor will be appointed during the first
half of 2012.
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
7
Research
CONTINUED
Testing for tsunami
damage
Are our buildings safe if a tsunami
hits? That’s the question Associate
Professor Asaad Shamseldin from the
Faculty is trying to answer.
Assad’s long term goal is to develop a national
facility at The University to inform decision
makers about what they need to do to design
buildings that are resilient to tsunamis. His
tsunami research is inspired by the 2004
Indian Ocean earthquake and subsequent
tsunami that devastated fourteen countries in
South East Asia. “The Boxing Day tsunami
happened in the past but we have since seen a
number of Tsunami events.”
Asaad, along with supervisor Professor Bruce
Melville and PHD student Reza Shafiel, are
investigating tsunami induced forces and the
impact of debri on buildings. The research is a
four stage process; stage one is the
construction of a model to show a typical New
Zealand residential dwelling and its installation
in a flume or chute, where water is released
simulating the effect of an actual tsunami
wave in order to measure the force induced by
the wave along with applied pressure
distributions. Stage three is about quantifying
the impact of the floating debris on buildings,
while stage four will involve up scaling the
experimental results to full structural scale so
they can be used for design purposes.
general. Another aspect of the research is to
look at low impact design or green proofing, to
see “how we can re-engineer the landscape to
mitigate some of the likely effects of a
tsunami”.
New Zealand has a large coastline that makes
us vulnerable to tsunami damage. And there is
a lot of uncertainty about magnitude or force.
Once that is determined, the knowledge from
Asaad and his research can be applied to the
design of structures and infrastructure in
Japan has a specialised laboratory for tsunami
research, and Asaad and his colleagues are
working on a much smaller scale but it is the
first such lab in New Zealand.
The current research on tsunamis interaction
with infrastructure is a joint research initiative
between the Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering at The University of
Auckland and Gegar Prasetya from Geological
and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) Limited. There are
also plans to have a joint workshop with Japan
to learn from their experience.
Reza Shafiei and Associate Professor
Asaad Shamseldin
3D Models of the
future
Researchers at the Auckland
Bioengineering Institute (ABI) are
working on computer software that in
the future could allow surgeons to
accurately predict the success of an
operation prior to surgery.
ABI’s musculoskeletal modelling research
group has received seed funding to create the
software from the National Centre for
Simulation in Rehabilitation Research (NCSRR)
based at Stanford University. The Centre is
funded by the US National Institutes of Health
and it’s a rarity for it to fund researchers
outside of the US.
Dr Thor Besier, a Principal Investigator who is
leading the project, says the new software will
give researchers, and eventually clinicians, a
tool to rapidly generate detailed and accurate
anatomical models of an individual’s
8
| The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
musculoskeletal system – their bones, muscles,
cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
“One of the biggest challenges that we face is
that it takes an enormous amount of time and
effort to create subject-specific models from
medical imaging data. The current
modelling software available is unable to take
into account the subtle differences, for instance
in joint and muscle size. These are critical
factors in estimating the forces and function of
a person’s musculoskeletal system,” he says.
Researchers can perform 3D simulations of
musculoskeletal systems using OpenSim,
open-source modelling software that is used in
hundreds of biomechanics laboratories around
the world.
OpenSim was developed at Stanford
University and is used in studies of
musculoskeletal injury and disease, sports
performance, in the design of medical devices,
in simulations of surgical procedures and in
animal and human animation.
The proposed software Dr Beiser and his team
are working on, will boost OpenSim’s
capabilities and allow researchers to generate
accurate models of a person’s musculoskeletal
system.
“The new modelling framework will bring us
one step closer to predicting medical outcomes
and remove the subjectivity that currently
exists in the treatment of musculoskeletal
injury and disease,” Dr Besier says.
The long term implication of this work could
mean that “virtual” treatment plans could be
tailored to the individual based upon an
accurate physics-based simulation, rather than
a subjective clinical assessment.
“A patient with knee osteoarthritis, for
example, who might otherwise have undergone
expensive joint replacement surgery could be
found to be an excellent candidate for gait
(walking) retraining or a knee stabilising
brace”, says Dr Besier.
ABI diabetic heart
project awarded
$1 million HRC Grant
heart failure reflects progressively declining
efficiency of both the cardiac pump and its
energy- generating mitochondrial machinery
– the powerhouse parts of human cells.
Among the 20 projects funded in the
latest HRC round is a project led by
Associate professor Denis Loiselle
from Auckland Bioengineering
Institute (ABI) and Department of
Physiology that aims to increase the
understanding of heart failure among
diabetics.
“We are looking at the efficiency with which
the heart converts oxygen and glucose into
mechanical energy under different workloads.
We think the reason a diabetic heart can no
longer pump as much blood as a normal heart,
even in the face of adequate energy supply, is
because its efficiency of converting metabolic
energy to pressure-volume work is impaired,”
says associate Professor Loiselle.
Associate Professor Loiselle and his project
team, which includes senior lecturer Andrew
Taberner from the ABI and the Department of
Engineering Science, senior lecturer Tony
Hickey from the School of Biological Sciences
(SBS) and ABI postgraduate candidate
June-Chiew Han, have received a grant of just
over $1 million for the three year project.
The team will test the hypothesis that diabetic
Getting the beat with
a cardiac myometer
We tend to take our hearts for
granted as they pump away, beat by
beat. As one of our most vital organs,
medical science is continually seeking
new knowledge on how our hearts
work and what causes them to
malfunction.
We know that each heart beat is triggered by a
brief pulse of calcium from within its cells. This
signal causes the heart muscles to contract and
its cells to shorten. The heart changes pressure
and expels blood before it relaxes back to its
starting point. The process uses energy,
releases heat and consumes oxygen. By
measuring these events within heat tissues,
researchers gain an insight into the underlying
ionic, mechanical and energetic processes.
Our current knowledge is largely based on
experiments in which only some elements of
the process are tracked at once, using different
instruments and often under unrealistic
conditions. We need a way to measure force,
construction, heat production, oxygen
consumption, and intracellular calcium ion
concentration all at the same time.
Aided by the Marsden Fund grant, Dr Andrew
Taberner from ABI proposes to achieve this
challenging objective by constructing an
innovative miniaturised testing device, a
cardiac myometer. With just one instrument,
Dr Taberner and his team will be able to
The University of Auckland received nearly $26
million of HRC funding, including almost $10
million for two new long-term programmes
investigating neurological and cardiovascular
diseases.
The project which starts in November, will
compare the energetics of a diabetic heart
with that of a healthy heart. A diabetic heart is
larger in size but less able to pump blood
around the body compared to a healthy heart.
The project aims to increase our understanding
of the diabetic heart across the complete
spectrum from whole organ to cellular and
sub-cellular components.
Associate Professor Denis Loiselle
simultaneously analyse all five measurements,
beat by beat, in heart tissues under both
normal and diseased conditions.
The new information will increase our
understanding of heart muscle behaviour, and
thereby improve our ability to treat common
heart diseases.
Dr Taberner said their success could be
attributed to having a strong research team
with outstanding engineering and physiological
expertise. Working on the project are Associate
Professors Poul Nielsen and Denis Loiselle, and
Dr Marie Ward.
They were “delighted” their research was being
supported by the Marsden Fund, he says.
“We are extremely grateful to the Marsden
Fund for supporting our work and to the
University of Auckland Faculty Research
Development Fund and Vice Chancellor’s
Strategic Development Fund for seeding
projects that have helped to make this
application successful.
“We’re also very grateful for the continued
support of ABI’s principal Investigators, and
the Department of Engineering Science.”
“The grant was an immediate boost to the
talented post-graduate and post-doctoral
engineers who work in the lab, the
physiologists who make measurements using
their instruments, and the mathematical
modellers who tease new knowledge from the
data gathered”, he says.
Dr Andrew Taberner
“We hope that clinicians will be able to apply
the insight that will arise from this project to
the benefit of the community.”
In total, 88 research projects have shared
$53.8 million of funding in this year’s Marsden
Fund grants. More than 1,000 applications
were received from researchers at New
Zealand universities and Crown Research
Institutes.
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
9
Research
CONTINUED
Large-scale robotic
project launched at
Selwyn
medical specialists Dr Liz Broadbent, a Senior
Lecturer in Psychological Medicine and Ngaire
Kerse, Professor of General Practice and
Primary HealthCare.
The Faculty and a cluster of South
Korean companies are officially
launching the world’s first large-scale
multi-robotic study at an Auckland
retirement village.
The large-scale study will evaluate five different
types of robots: Friend, Guide, Paro, iRobiQ
and Cafero robots. They can perform tasks
such as recording the residents’ heart rate or
blood pressure, providing entertainment in the
form of music videos, and reminding residents
to take their medication and alert staff if
someone falls.
Researchers are conducting six separate
robotics studies involving 31 robots sourced
from South Korea and Japan, as well as 100
staff and 100 residents from Selwyn Village in
Auckland.
The Healthbots project is an international
collaboration between UniServices, South
Korea’s Electronics and Telecommunications
Research Institute, and South Korean
companies, ED Corporation, Yujin Robot and
Isan Solutions.
Head of the Healthbots project, Associate
Professor Bruce MacDonald from the Faculty
says, the aim of the Healthbots project is to
make robots that are helpful assistants for
older people and for their caregivers.
“We want to help older people to be more
independent where they want to be and to be
happier and more socially interactive using the
robot as a kind of conduit for interaction. We
want to help staff by doing simple tasks and
give them more time to spend on the more
human and more caring things that both staff
and older people prefer to do together.”
Bruce has put together a multidisciplinary
team that includes engineers and computer
scientists as well as the human touch with
Storehouse of
expertise to benefit
manufacturers
The University of Auckland is making
it easier for the manufacturing and
materials sector to tap into its
expertise with the creation of a
one-stop shop.
The Innovative Manufacturing and Materials
Programme was launched by the University’s
Vice-Chancellor, Stuart McCutcheon, at the
City Campus on the 18th August.
Manufacturing Chair Professor Xun Xu says the
programme, which has three strands - idea
generation and discovery, technology
development and innovation implementation
– will bring together expert researchers from
10 | The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
The residents can Skype from some of the
robots, find out what daily activities are on at
the village and play games to help their mental
fitness.
The robots are being placed around Selwyn
Village’s Pt Chevalier premises including in its
cafe, medical centre, hospital and in residents’
rooms and in the communal spaces.
Some of the robotics studies being carried out
include medication reminder trials, activity
trials and companion trials.
The medication trials use robots to remind
residents to take their medication. If residents
fail to do so then the robot alerts the on-site
staff. The robots, which can monitor their
users’ blood pressure and heart rate, can also
send regular reports to the on-site doctor.
The activity trials involve residents wearing
wrist or waist bands which monitor their
whereabouts. If they have a fall then the
monitor bands send an alert to the nurses
station.
Another trial involves the Paro robot pet, based
on a Canadian harp seal which has tactile
sensors and responds to being patted by
moving its tail and opening and closing its
eyes. The robot, which produces sounds similar
to a baby seal, is being trialled with dementia
patients to see if it has a positive psychological
effect. According to overseas studies the
therapeutic robot can reduce patient stress
and improve motivation and relaxation.
Ngaire Kerse says the studies
are important because the
enhancement of the
environment with stimulating
and interactive activities can
improve the quality of life
and relieve loneliness for
older people.
“Robots may provide an
interesting option and may
also be an aide to
communication and health
monitoring.”
Noel with Associate Professor Bruce Macdonald
science, technology, engineering, management
and other parts of The University.
“Our specialists and cross-disciplinary teams
can help manufacturers in a number of ways,
from innovation in new materials, to new
product development, renewal of
manufacturing systems, enhancement of
supply-chain processes, through to business
growth strategies and the redesign of work
systems.”
Professor Xu says The University wants to make
it easier for manufacturers to access its
research and development capabilities and
specialist management advice as well as
ensuring it is meeting the needs of the
manufacturing businesses.
“We want industry to come to us and tell us
what they need. In the past we have been
more inclined to push our ideas onto industry
rather than invite them to come to us.”
The manufacturing sector is important for New
Zealand’s economic well-being as one in every
nine workers is employed by the sector and it is
responsible for 14 percent of the country’s
GDP and 65 percent of all exported goods.
“High-tech, niche-based manufacturing was an
area The University was most likely to have the
greatest impact”, he says.
The programme was launched at The Faculty
of Engineering, and included a research
showcase event sponsored by UniServices.
Speakers at the event included Business New
Zealand Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly,
Employers and Manufacturers Association
Acting Chief Executive Bruce Goldsworthy, and
Professor Xun Xu from the Faculty.
Engineering Students
Big support for
first humanitarian
engineering conference
In July this year Engineers Without
Borders hosted Engineering Change
2011 which attracted more than 200
representatives from the engineering
and development sectors.
The sell-out conference was centred on three
core themes; sustainable development,
disaster preparation and relief and
engineering practice.
It was an opportunity for experienced
professionals from industry, development and
the academic sectors to network and share
ideas for the future. Its goal was to increase
awareness of the role of engineers in
community development, and to build
knowledge and capacity in humanitarian
engineering. Tony Woods, of Sustainable
Energy Services Afghanistan SESA, was keynote
speaker. Mr Woods has more than 15 years
experience in the fields of rural energy and
infrastructure development in a range of
developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.
and, at the same time, brings much-needed
development to rural Afghanistan. New
Zealand punches well above its weight in terms
of the number of home-grown, internationally
renowned engineering and development
experts. The conference’s success was due in
part to their leadership and expertise, say
organisers.
“Engineering Change 2011 enabled a diverse
group of Kiwi experts, engineers and nonengineers alike to talk about how we can
address issues not only those facing the world
but facing our communities here in New
Zealand and the South Pacific”, says Kai
Graylee from Engineering Without Borders. “As
well as helping to see the framework for the
future, they are inspirational role models for
many student engineers who will also work in
the development sector”.
Oxfam head Barry Coates stressed the need
for engineers to tackle some of the biggest
challenges facing the planet; water, sanitation
and climate change. Paul Roughan has
conducted significant research and policy
analysis in corruption and post-conflict peace
building, as well as environmental issues such
as bioprospecting and biosafety. He told
delegates that technology was quickly
changing development priorities and the
communities’ strengths, values and personal
aspirations were vital when creating future
solutions for Pacific people. Sponsors of the
conference included Parsons Brinckerhoff, SKM,
Hilti, the University of Auckland and IPENZ.
He specialises in the design and installation of
community scale infrastructure projects, using
wind, solar and micro-hydro energy resources
and the community service and support
structures needed to sustain them.
Most recently Mr Woods built up a company in
Afghanistan which is financially self-sustaining
Part I Mentor
Ceremony On Tuesday 11 October Professor
Michael Davies, Dean of Engineering
held a brief formal ceremony to
honour the Faculty’s Part I Mentors.
The Part I mentors are a group of second and
third year students employed to support
first-year students with their steps in the
degree.
These students make up what is known as the
Faculty’s Part I Assistance Centre, providing
academic mentoring on a drop-in clinic basis in
the Leech Study Area every weekday
afternoon, 12-4pm during semester. The Part I
Mentors help new first-year students across a
range of areas, such as reviewing weekly
worksheets and practice problems, preparing
for tests and even helping with assignments by
working through similar problems or tasks in
Engineers Without Borders
the students’ course handbooks. The Mentors
also help the first-year students to review their
learning strategies and develop new
approaches for working through problems or
preparing for tests, as well as providing
general advice on what to expect in the rest of
their degree.
Shepherd, Director Undergraduate both paid
tribute to the team’s high-level of
professionalism and commitment. The Dean
commented that, “The part played by our Part
I Assistance Mentors to our first-year students’
successful completion of their Part I studies
and their retention into Part II of the BE(Hons)
degree cannot be underestimated.”
At the ceremony Professor Davies and Martin
Professor Michael Davies, Dean of
Engineering and Elizabeth Morgan-Coakle
Professor Michael Davies, Dean of
Engineering and Owen Miller
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
11
Engineering Students
University’s first
poetry slam won by
engineering student
Moody Hikmet
As part of the University of
Auckland’s sponsorship of the
Auckland Writers & Readers Festival,
Campus Life staged a Poetry Slam
featuring international guest slam
poet champion Rives.
Poetry slam is the literary equivalent of
American Idol. Poets are judged on the
quality of both their writing and their delivery.
A poetry slam is a lively competition in which
poets perform their original work. Judges are
selected from the audience.
Ten students and staff were put head to head
in the battle for the ultimate champion.
Moody Hikmet a Part IV Computer Systems
Engineering student won the competition with
his poem “An apology to various insects that I
have wronged throughout my childhood (or, I
was a dictator too)”.
On track for success
Engineering Undergraduate student
Yi Chung Lim who completed his
Bachelor of Engineering(Hons) in
2010 is the perfect example of how
students can fast track their
university career.
Yi Chung Lim took the accelerated
pathway programme, studying Biomedical
Engineering, which allowed him to study in his
specialisation straight away and compete the
full 480 points requirements for the BE(Hons)
degree in just three years, instead of the
standard four years.
In June 2010 Dr David Long, a lecturer in the
Engineering Science Department and Principal
Investigator in the Auckland Bioengineering
Institute, was awarded the “The Fast Start
Master of Engineering” award. This award is
presented to academics to assist emerging
researchers establish an independent research
program by providing support for a
postgraduate student. This award funded Yi
Chung’s Master of Engineering studies and
The Bioengineering Institute who provided
support for his summer studentship.
During the Summer of November 2009 –
February 2010, Yi Chung’s work in the summer
12 | The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
CONTINUED
“I’d never been to a poetry slam before, and
this was my first time being exposed to the
competition aspect of it. I’ve seen a lot of slam
poetry on YouTube but never in real life.”
Moody came away with the grand prize of a
$250 UBS voucher, a $100 Shadows bar tab,
and a hoodie from the University’s new
apparel range. He was also invited to perform
one of his poems at Galatos that night at a
Literati/South Auckland Poets Collective show.
Then Rives invited him to perform at his show
on Saturday night in the ASB Theatre.
BA (Hons) student Maddy King came second
and received a $100 UBS voucher, and
Henrietta Bollinger came third and received a
$50 UBS voucher. Henrietta is a high school
student who is taking one Arts paper at the
University, making her success in the
competition all the more remarkable.
Acting, comedic stand-up and theatre sports
are old-hat to Moody who performed in
musicals at school, is a member of a theatre
sports company called Conartists, and who
used to do stand up. Moody is also a part of
the Engineering Revue.
Moody Hikmet
studentship meant a fulltime summer research
project with Dr David Long as his mentor.
“Doing the summer studentship was a great
opportunity to sample the total postgraduate
experience in the space of a few weeks. This
confirmed the direction of my career. The
studentship enabled me to meet different
academic staff and identify their research
interests. This gave me confidence that this
was the best environment to develop my
research topic” said Yi Chung Lim.
Yi Chung completed his Master in Engineering
in Engineering Science with First Class Honours
in July 2011. In June 2011, the Department of
Engineering Science provided travel support
for Yi Chung to present his research
“Aortic Heamodynamics and Endothelial Gene
Expression: An Animal Specific Approach” at
the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Summer Bioengineering Conference in
Pennsylvania, USA.
In August Yi Chung also presented his research
“An Animal Specific Approach to Quantifying
the Effect of Local Heamodynamics on Aortic
Endothelial Cell Phenotype” at the Medical
Sciences Congress, held in Queenstown with
the travel support provided by the Physiological
Society of New Zealand.
Yi Chung Lim
A University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship
was awarded to Yi Chung recently which
allows him to start his PhD Degree in
December. The focus of his PhD research will
be “Biomechanics of Endothelial Primary
Cilium.” The long term objective of his research
is to better understand how ciliary mechanics
is involved in Endothelial cell mechanosensing.
Netballer honoured a
second time
Kirsten Hurley is the first player to win
back-to-back Counties Manukau
Netballer of the year awards.
The win capped a sterling year for the
19-year-old. The 1.81 metre centre/wing
defence who played for the Counties Manukau
under-21s and the Counties Manukau
premiers, made the Silver Ferns Under 21
Squad and was drafted into the Mystics squad
as a training partner.
Hurley’s biggest let-down was Papatoetoe
Rangers losing their Counties Manukau
Regional Netball League title to Aztec. Hurley
is glad to catch her breath after a hectic
season of club and representative netball.
Kirsten is determined to get back into the New
Zealand Under 21 Squad again. She also
wants to get a contract with the Mystics for
2013.
“The Mystics have contracted their players for
next season. I’m looking at a contract for the
season after.” The player she wants to emulate
is Silver Fern Laura Langman. “Laura plays the
kind of style I’d like to achieve.” Like many high
achievers in sport, Hurley juggles sport and
studies. The former St Kentigern College pupil
is studying engineering at the Faculty.
Netball New Zealand president Sheryl, Lady
Wells and Netball New Zealand board
member Carole Maddix were the guests of
honour at the packed awards dinner.
Hurley says she was shocked when she was
named at the Netball Counties Manukau prize
giving in Papakura. “It’s quite an honour to be
honest,” the engineering student says. “It’s an
honour because this year especially we’ve had
a lot of girls from Counties Manukau get into
tournament teams and representative
squads….girls like Nadia Loveday who make
the New Zealand Emerging Talent squad.
“Because of those achievements it was an
honour to win this year and to win it for the
second time in a row is special.”
Hurley believes her performances for Counties
Manukau at the national netball
championships swayed the judges. Her season
highlights include playing in the Counties
Manukau under-21s that beat Waikato at the
nationals in Porirua and getting back into the
New Zealand Under 21 Squad again.
Team OneBeep and
OneBuzz update
Team OneBuzz won the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Exceptional Student Humanitarian
Prize in April at the 2011 IEEE
Presidents’ Change the World
competition.
Team OneBuzz’s winning concept harnesses
technology to inhibit the spread of Malaria.
The team is developing a collaborative
platform that helps visualise the extent of the
disease by mapping information aggregated
from a range of sources, including satellite
images and mobile phones. The approach is
designed to help coordinate and improve the
effectiveness of government and health agency
responses to malaria outbreaks.
The OneBuzz team is made up of members
Vinny Lohan, Kayo Lakadia, Edward Peek and
Steven King. Vinny and Kayo were also part of
Kirsten Hurley second from right
Team OneBeep, which won last year’s New
Zealand final of Microsoft Imagine Cup with a
project to improve access to education in Third
World countries: www.onebeep.org
Currently team OneBeep are raising
investment to develop the project further with
the help of University of Canterbury, Wireless
Research Centre. They have started their
incubation at the ICEHOUSE that Onebeep
won through SPARK Business challenge last
year. Vinny Lohan was also awarded one of
two scholarships to attend MORGO New
Zealand’s top entrepreneurship conference
which he attended in Taupo. The team was invited to give a presentation to
20,000+ people in the US. The event was
organised by Microsoft and they were the only
external speakers invited to make a
presentation.
Steven Ward, Edward Peek, Vinny Lohan
and Kayo Lakadia
Going from strength to strength the Faculty
wish the team the best of luck in their
endeavours.
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
13
Scholarships and Awards
Mission to Antarctica
Pure Advantage, the organisation
advocating a shift for green growth in
New Zealand, announced in
September that Sarah Hall, an
environmental engineering student at
the Faculty will be joining Rob Swan’s
2041 team to explore the Antarctic
Peninsula in February 2012.
Polar explorer and environmental leader Rob
Swan judged the competition that awarded
one young person the chance of a life time.
Mr Swan was very impressed by those who
entered stating “What we’ve got out of this
competition is the next generation of leaders
who will inspire all New Zealanders to commit
to a more sustainable and prosperous New
Zealand through green growth.”
“Our dream over the next three years is to end
up with an alumnus of five or more youth
champions that have experienced what is
going on in Antarctica and can share that not
only with, New Zealand but the World”.
Sarah says “When I was told I was going to
Antarctica I was left speechless! It’s such an
exciting opportunity. New Zealand has strong
ties to Antarctica and a history of helping
preserve and protect its environment. What I
learn from the Antarctica experience I will
apply in this country to help create a clean
green economy, and support Pure Advantage
in its quest to turn our natural advantages into
greater wealth for all New Zealand.”
Sarah Hall
Photo: Ben Campbell/Auckland City Harbour News
BECA Scholarships
Nine students from The Faculty have
received major recognition, winning
Beca’s engineering scholarships,
worth a combined value of $27,000.
A panel of judges from consultants Beca and
the Faculty selected the winners based on a
range of factors including academic ability,
impact on the community and potential to
contribute to the engineering profession in the
future.
David Carter, Executive Director at Beca, says,
“We are delighted to be able to assist New
Zealand’s talented future engineers in
progressing their careers. Standards were very
high this year, and we believe all the winners
will make excellent ambassadors for their
profession in future years.”
awarded a number of scholarships, including
the Energy Education Trust Undergraduate and
Honours Scholarship in 2010 and the
Freemasons Charity University Scholarship
earlier this year.
“Working as a green process engineer and
industrial ecologist has always been an
aspiration of mine. I feel that a career in this
area will provide me with a platform to benefit
society, using my technical knowledge and
passion for the environment,” says Niancen.
Niancen is one of nine Beca scholarship
winners this year. Other winners include fourth
year students Michelle Brock (Mechanical
Engineering), Sarah Mitchell (Mechanical
Engineering) and Sarah Milsom (Biomedical
Engineering) who were each presented with
$3000 Beca Engineering Scholarships. Second
year students Victoria Shrimpton, Hannah
Sheahan, Alice Bates, Mengbin Ye and Sara
Bailey were recognised for their academic
performance, communication skills,
personality, and their drive to make a
difference to the profession, all winning $2,500
Beca Engineering in Society Scholarships.
Beca, one of Asia-Pacific’s leading engineering
consultancies, has been recognising aspiring
engineers since 1990 through scholarships
with Canterbury, Auckland and recently
Waikato Universities.
Professor Michael Davies, highlighted the
value of an education in engineering, saying “It
is an opportunity to play a leading role in
society. Graduates from this faculty have
underpinned New Zealand’s technological,
social and economic development for 100
years.”
The Beca Rotary Club of Auckland
Scholarship ($5,500), which is awarded to the
most outstanding all-round fourth-year
engineering student, went to 21-year-old
chemical and materials engineering specialist,
Niancen Miao.
The former Macleans College student has
received multiple accolades while
completing his degree. He has been nominated
to the Dean’s Honour List twice and has been
14 | The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
Jacqui Bensemann(President of Rotary Club Auckland Inc), Professor Michael Davies,
Niancen Miao, Sarah Mitchell, Michelle Brock, Sarah Milsom, Beca Executive Director
David Carter, Alice Bates, Victoria Shrimpton, Sara Bailey, Hannah Sheahan and Mengbin Ye
Engineering
Scholarships Annual
Function 2011
Every year The Faculty of Engineering
provides the opportunity for its
students to apply for academic
scholarships. These scholarships are
generously gifted from prestigious
engineering companies and sponsors
throughout New Zealand.
This year’s annual scholarship function was
held on 19 October and provided not only an
opportunity for sponsors, staff and awardees
to meet but was also a celebration of the
Faculty’s strong ties with the engineering
industry.
Sarah Mitchell, Amanda Slater and
Lauren Anderson
Ming Chan and Philip Johnson
his gratitude at being awarded the HEB
scholarships, “I had never thought I would be
awarded anything, especially anything this
huge, and it has been a massive boost for me
during the long slog of the year”. Sam who has
recently accepted work with HEB says “I look
forward to working with the brilliant team”.
Aubrey Bullen a third year Civil and
Environmental Engineering student who was
awarded the Deutsche Bank Engineering
Scholarship reflects on this, “It has given me a
much broader view of my career path by
helping me realise that studying Engineering
does not necessarily limit you to only a job
within the engineering industry”
Prestigious
international
scholarship awarded
communication skills, interest in petroleum
engineering as a profession, and contributions
to the Society of Petroleum Engineers in order
to award the scholarship.
switch degrees. Classes in engineering have
been much more enjoyable and valuable with
like-minded people.
Chemical and Materials Engineering
student, Samuel Cheng has been
awarded the Society of Petroleum
Engineers Southern Asia Pacific
Region Star Scholarship worth $1,666
per year for each year of
undergraduate study.
Samuel says when the SPE New Zealand
Student Chapter (a university based group of
SPE student members) was created in 2009, at
The University of Auckland, he joined straight
away. In 2010 he became Secretary and this
year is President.
A total of 85 undergraduate scholarships were
awarded to students from the Faculty.
Scholarships not only provide support but can
also introduce students to first-hand work
experience in their specialist engineering field.
Second year Civil and Environmental
Scholarship awardee Sam Granger expresses
Samuel is one of three students to receive the
scholarship from the Asia Pacific Region, and is
the only New Zealander to be awarded the
international scholarship this year.
“I felt over the moon to have won the
scholarship. When applying for the scholarship,
it dawned on me that my application would be
considered alongside those from other
countries in the Southern Asia Pacific Region.
As an applicant from New Zealand, where the
industry is relatively small, and Petroleum
Engineering is not offered as a taught
specialisation in universities, I thought my
chances of winning were rather slim. The fact
that I was actually hand-picked to receive this
scholarship has really motivated me to keep
working hard for what I want,” he says.
The committee considered many aspects
including academic records, leadership and
“I guess I always wanted to be an engineer, but
never realised it until I started a Bachelor of
Science degree and weighed up the differences
between the degrees with friends who were
studying engineering.”
“I believe our Chapter has put SPE on the map
at the University by hosting several events,
from young professional speakers to the 2010
Global President visit in April this year.”
“While working in Taranaki over the summer of
2010-2011 and the April break with Origin
Energy’s Subsurface Petroleum Engineering
Team, I spent a portion of time with the SPE
New Zealand section, enhancing relations
between the Student Chapter and the
professional sector.”
Samuel began studying a Bachelor of Science
at The University of Auckland but decided to
change to a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)
after one year of study.
“Engineering is more focused on problem
solving using more hands-on, applied
approaches. Teaching methods in engineering
played a significant part in my decision to
Associate Professor Poul Nielsen
Samuel Cheng
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
15
Scholarships and Awards
CONTINUED
Postgraduate students
receive prestigious
Chinese Government
Award
Two University of Auckland PhD
students have received the
prestigious “2010 Chinese
Government Award for Outstanding
Self-financed Students Abroad”.
Jie Han and Weiwei Chen are both from the
Department of Chemical and Materials
Engineering and are supervised by Professor
Wei Gao.
The prize-giving ceremony was held in the
Chinese Embassy in Wellington on 6 May
2011. More than 70 guests attended, including
the Chinese Ambassador, representatives from
the Ministry of Education, university
representatives and supervisor representatives.
Jie Han and Wei Gao attended the ceremony
and gave talks as recipient representative and
supervisor representative. Weiwei Chen was
overseas on a research trip and was unable to
attend.
This annual award was established in 2003 to
recognise the academic merit and research
Two engineering
graduates awarded
Fulbright Scholarships
Engineering graduates Jeffrey Hawke
and Karishma Sharma have been
awarded Fulbright-Ministry of Science
and Innovation Graduate Awards.
Pictured (from right) Professor Wei Gao, Jie Han, Mr Jianguo Xu, Jingjing Yang, Mr Yanchu
Hu in the Chinese Embassy, Wellington.
accomplishments of self-financed Chinese
students abroad. Recipients are selected after
three rounds of judging by invited eminent
experts from their field in China as well as their
host countries. There were 506 Chinese
students from around the world granted the
2010 award, which includes a USD$5,000
prize and a certificate. This year four of these
recipients are from New Zealand, with two
from the Faculty of Engineering.
The scholarships, worth more than US$25,000
each, are awarded to promising New Zealand
graduate students to undertake postgraduate
study or research at United States institutions
in fields which support growth and innovation
in New Zealand.
The University of Auckland received ten
Fulbright scholarships for 2011, seven going to
graduates and three to academics.
The scholarships were awarded at an event
hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the
Hon Murray McCully, at Parliament.
Jeffrey will complete a Master of Science
degree in mechanical engineering, specialising
in mechatronics engineering for control of
autonomous vehicles and robots, at Georgia
Institute of Technology in Atlanta. He
graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering
(Honours) in Mechatronics and a Bachelor of
Science in 2010.
MarkSharma
Sagar
Karisha
16 | The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
Karishma, a current commerce student at The
University of Auckland, will complete a Master
of Business Administration degree, specialising
in strategy, general management and finance,
Jeffery Hawke
at the University of Chicago. She graduated
with a BE(Hons) in Mechanical Engineering, in
2008.
Spoilt for Choice at
the Prime Minister’s
Pacific Youth Awards
2011
Six outstanding young pacific people
were chosen to be recipients of the
Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards
2011 in Wellington.
A wealth of talent amongst applicants for the
Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards 2011
saw six awards presented by the Hon John Key
at a moving ceremony in the Beehive Banquet
Hall in August. Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs
staff brought a uniquely Pacific feel to the
venue, decorating the stage and lecterns with
fine mats, and gifting specially created lei to
the Prime Minister, hosting minister Hon Judith
Collins and the winners.
This year’s awards were in four categories; The
University of Auckland Leadership Award, The
Weta Workshop Creativity Award, The Air New
Zealand innovation Award and The Cogita
Business Systems Inspiration Award. Cogitas
founder Ula Aiano, however, was so impressed
with what he saw at the selection stage that he
decided he would give three awards instead of
the one originally on offer.
The Inspiration Award winners were Jessica
Papals-Curtin, 25, originally from Wellington
but now studying medicine in Auckland, Joyce
Tolefoa, 19, of Auckland and Brendon Jackson,
22, of Auckland. All are studying at The
University of Auckland. Joyce is working
towards a Bachelor of Arts in education and
Brandon is completing his Bachelor of Human
Studies and wants to major in youth work. All
will get an inspirational overseas trip to a
destination agreed with Ulu, worth up to
$5000.
Nadeen Papdi
Archer wins inaugural
Society of Petroleum
Engineers award
Associate Professor Rosalind Archer
was chosen as the first person to be
awarded the Society of Petroleum
Engineering’s new SPE Regional
Distinguished Achievement Award for
Petroleum Engineering Faculty.
The award recognises “superiority in classroom
teaching, excellence in research, significant
contributions to the petroleum engineering
profession and/or special effectiveness in
advising and guiding students”.
The award was to have been presented at the
2011 Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and
Exhibition in Jakarta, however Rosalind was
The University of Auckland Leadership Award
went to Nadeen Papali. Nadeen who described
herself as a Samoan girl from Otara, is aiming
for a doctorate in wastewater engineering,
which she hopes to put to use working in
Samoa on water quality and availability issues.
In common with all the winners, she credits her
family and her faith with helping her realise
her potential. Helping her turn her dreams into
reality will be the $6,000 study award
presented by Mr Key.
The Creative Award went to Aucklander Mark
Dewes, sponsored by Weta Workshop. The
youngest winner was Christchurch’s Cameron
Hoare, 17. Of Niuean descent, Cameron took
out the Innovation Award which gains him a
place at sponsor Air New Zealand’s Aviation
Institute, where he will do a 32-week course in
aircraft maintenance.
Both Mr Key and Ministry of Pacific Island
Affairs Chief Executive Dr Colin Tukuitonga
spoke about the importance of young Pacific
people fulfilling their potential.
“The winners embody the community spirit and
determination all New Zealanders admire,” Mr
Key said “They are high achievers in their fields
and are inspirational to their peers. They all
have bright futures ahead of them”.
Dr Tukuitonga said those who selected the
winners had been spoilt for choice with many
high-calibre entrants. “The wealth of talent
amongst our young Pacific people has to be a
good thing, not only for these young people,
but for our communities and indeed for all
New Zealand”, he said.
unable to attend due to teaching
commitments. The presentation was instead
made by the Dean of Engineering,
appropriately enough at a student event
promoting female participation in petroleum
engineering.
Hosted by the Women in Engineering Network,
the event was aimed at first year engineering
students. Rosalind spoke to the students about
her work as an academic and a consultant to
the petroleum industry, and was one of three
speakers. The other two were Jessica Green
(Process Engineer at Origin Energy Resources
NZ), and Reneke van Soest (Staff Petroleum
Engineer at Origin Energy Resources NZ).
Associate Professor Rosalind Archer
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
17
Alumni
John Smith and Joyce Irving
Noel and Caroline Carter
‘1’ Reunion Weekend
and AUEA Alumni
Dinner
donated by Kim and Jeanette Goldwater, to the
University’s Wine Science Programme.
The Annual AUEA Alumni Dinner and
Reunion weekend continues to be a
popular alumni function, keeping
alumni spanning more than 60 years
in touch with each other, the Faculty
and the University at large.
This year we celebrated alumni who graduated
in a year ending in 1; 1951, 1961, 1971, 1981,
1991, 2001, 2011. The Alumni Dinner took
place on 23 September and was held at the
Pullman Hotel Auckland.
Over 500 alumni, friends of the Faculty,
industry and staff attended. On Friday tours of
the Faculty campus and buildings were held.
The weekend’s activities concluded with the
popular tour of Ardmore.
This year the MC was Matthew Thomson, a
member of the AUEA Committee, who
welcomed the guests and acknowledged the
Goldie Estate wine used at the dinner and the
generous gift of the Goldie Vineyard Estate
The Dean of Engineering Professor Michael
Davies welcomed the guests who were
celebrating the decade of their graduation.
The Dean acknowledged graduates who
completed their degree studies in 1951, Alec
Aitken, Bain McGlashen, Bruce Cato, Sir Colin
Maiden, and Noel Carter, along with Terry
Batten, Kim Goldwater and Ian Stewart from
1961. Acknowledgements of the other
graduates were made and the Dean thanked
the ongoing support the Faculty receives each
year from its many graduates and AUEA.
AUEA president Dean Kimpton also spoke at
the event, along with the evening’s guest
speaker Emeritus Professor Dick Bellamy,
formerly Dean of Science, who recalled
humorous events of his career with the
university including stories of the unruly
engineers at Ardmore and their outrageous
activities. He then spoke about how
developments in technology had supported
research in genetic engineering.
Emeritus Professor Dick Bellamy
A great night was had by all.
1991 Graduates, Tony Wallis, Richard Smedley, Marcel Bear, Matt Thomson and John McNeil
18 | The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
Sir Colin and Lady Jenefor Maiden
Professor Michael Davies
Dean of Engineering
Dr Ian and Sue Parton
AECOM
Roger and Alison Cotter with Kim and Jeanette Goldwater
Colin and Takako Martin with Des Mataga
Watercare Table
Roger and Alison Cotter
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
19
Alumni
CONTINUED
US bound for doctoral
graduand
Auckland Bioengineering Institute
doctoral graduand Zoar Engelman
has scored a prestigious position with
US company Coridea.
Coridea is an idea generator, technology
incubator and consulting firm focused on the
cardio-renal and cardio-pulmonary fields. The
venture was founded in 1998 by cardiologist
Dr Howard Levin and Mark Gelfand, a
biomedical engineer, who met at Johns
Hopkins University in the late 1980s.
Zoar has been employed as a Senior
Biomedical Systems Engineer at the company’s
New York offices. “I will be involved with the
development and validation of novel therapies
for the treatment of hypertension and heart
failure. Specifically, I will manage systems for
use in clinical and experimental studies,
oversee these studies, and use the results to
drive future studies and the therapy forward.”
Zoar received a Bachelor of Science and
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
from the University of Utah in 2003 and 2005,
respectively. He began studying for a PhD at
the Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI) in
Lasting legacy
Dr William (Bill) Henry Robinson QSO,
FRSNZ, a world-renowned earthquake
engineer whose ingenuity has saved
countless lives, passed away in
August this year.
Bill started his tertiary education at The
University of Auckland where he earned a
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in and a
Master’s degree in Aeronautics. He also had a
PhD in physical metallurgy from the University
of Illinois in the US and spent two years at the
University of Sussex in the UK where he worked
as research fellow in the area of solid state
physics.
2006 and defended his thesis in 2011.
presents itself.”
“I was already familiar with work from the ABI
and came to New Zealand to do a PhD with
Professor Bruce Smaill and the cardiac group.”
Zoar said he would like to thank his supervisors
Professor Bruce Smaill and Dr Mark Trew for
their ongoing support and encouragement. “I
count myself very fortunate to have found such
an intelligent, inviting and amicable
environment in which to pursue a PhD.
Zoar’s research focused on cardiac
electrophysiology. “My research looks at
arrhythmic substrates associated with
structural heart disease, for example the
mechanisms of cardiac death associated with
a chronic myocardial infarction (i.e., what can
go wrong electrically long-term after surviving
a heart attack). I’ve also used biophysically
based computational models to advance
cardiac rhythm theory.”
His long term professional goal is to use his
integrated knowledge of engineering and
physiology together with his passion for
medical science in the identification and
development of new technologies that improve
patient care. “My work at Coridea will certainly
progress this objective.”
Zoar is moving back to the US with his wife,
Katrina, whom he met in New Zealand through
another ABI PhD student. “I plan to continue
my associations with the ABI and hope to visit
often. I would certainly move back to New
Zealand in the future if the opportunity
Zoar Engleman
Papa, the new Wellington Hospital, Victoria
University Library and the Beehive. Overseas,
the technology can also be found in thousands
of buildings including the Bhuj Hospital in India
and the C-1 building in Tokyo - the largest
building in the world protected by Bill’s
invention.
Teaching Hospital remained open while ten
other hospitals in the area, which didn’t have
the seismic technology, could not be used due
to earthquake damage. Another testament to
Bill’s work is The Christchurch Women’s
Hospital, which was undamaged during the
recent earthquakes.
During the 1994 Los Angeles earthquake the
LRB-protected University of Southern California
Bill, is the recipient of numerous awards,
including the Rutherford Medal (1999) and The
Royal Society of New Zealand’s E.R.Cooper
Memorial Medal (1994). He was made a
Companion of the Queens Service Order (QSO)
for services to engineering in 2007.
Bill founded the Robinson Seismic Ltd, a global
leader in seismic development and innovation,
in 1995. Among some of the other seismic
isolation devices Bill has invented are the
RoGlider and the Lead Extrusion Damper.
Bill is best known for inventing the lead rubber
bearing (LRB) a seismic isolation device, which
is used in buildings located in some of the
world’s most earthquake-prone cities. He
designed the LRB, which enables buildings to
better withstand earthquakes, allowing lives to
be saved, in 1974 while working as a scientist
for the Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research (DSIR). The first building in the world
to be base-isolated with the lead bearing
technology was the William Clayton building in
Wellington.
Bill’s technology can be found underneath Te
20 | The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
I regard the ABI as my second family and
Auckland my second home. I will sincerely miss
my time here.”
A beloved family man, Bill was known for his
wit, intellect and determination. At the age of
52 he suffered from a near-fatal stroke and
spent four and a half months in hospital. He
had to re-learn how to walk, write and drive.
Within six months of the stroke he was back
working.
Dr Bill Robinson
Although he continued to work on his
inventions and lecture up until he passed away,
Bill semi-retired during his 60s.
Alumnus presented
with the Queen’s
Award
Engineering alumnus, Dr Bruce
Menzies accepted the Queen’s Award
for Enterprise in the International
Trade category on behalf of Global
Digital Systems Ltd (GDS) in June
2011.
The University of Auckland graduate is the
founder and president of GDS and was
presented with an engraved crystal chalice and
appointment scroll by Her Majesty the Queen’s
Representative, Lord Lieutenant of the County
of Hampshire Dame Mary Fagan, at the
company’s premises. This is the most
prestigious corporate award in the United
Kingdom and was presented to only 100
companies “in recognition of their outstanding
achievements in international trade”.
Bruce graduated from The University of
Auckland with a Bachelor of Engineering in
1962, a Master of Engineering in 1963 and a
Doctor of Science in 1991. He was also
president of the Auckland University
Engineering Society in 1962.
The Deputy Lord Lieutenant Khalid Aziz who
presented at the award ceremony says, “as a
designer, developer and manufacturer of
hardware and software for testing the
mechanical properties of soils and rocks, GDS
has grown steadily since its formation in 1979.
“GDS is now an acknowledged world leader in
its field and continues to innovate and develop
leading edge products that are a key element
in infrastructure development around the
world. GDS’s products have been used in many
world renowned developments including the
Three Gorges Dam in China, Millau Viaduct in
France, Vasco da Gama Bridge in Portugal,
Terminal Five at London Heathrow Airport, and
the new London Crossrail links.
“In 2002, GDS moved to larger premises as
part of a strategy for growth based on an
assessment of the potential worldwide,
increasing demand for infrastructure
development. The strategy included a
combination of continuous product
development, building market share through
extending regional coverage and
understanding customers requirements plus,
importantly, a company-wide dedication to
customer support. This is continuing to be a
successful strategy - overseas earnings have
increased by 190% over six years of continuous
sustained growth, and over 85% of GDS
production was to overseas sales.”
The award was announced on the Queen’s
birthday this year. The Queen makes the
award on the advice of the Prime Minister, who
is assisted by an advisory committee that
includes representatives of government,
industry and commerce, and trade unions.
Dame Mary Fagan presenting Dr Bruce
Menzies with the Queen’s award for
Enterprise in International Trade
Dr Bruce Menzies and the team at Global Digital Systems Ltd (GDS)
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
21
Alumni
CONTINUED
Major Gift To Wine
Science
Pioneering Waiheke winemakers Kim
and Jeanette Goldwater have made a
$4 million gift to The University of
Auckland as part of a development
that will see their iconic vineyard and
winemaking operation become a new
centre for the University’s Wine
Science Programme.
The gift will allow students and researchers to
be immersed in a world-class commercial wine
making environment.
“This is an unprecedented and extremely
generous donation that will benefit both the
University and the wine industry,” says Vice
Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon. “We
believe that winemakers will benefit from the
supply of high quality graduates as well as the
University’s ongoing research on everything
from native wine yeasts to the aroma profiles
of New Zealand wines.”
In 2009 the Goldwater family sold their
world-famous brand, which had grown to
include operations in Hawke’s Bay and
Marlborough, to a US wine investor. However
they kept their original Waiheke vineyard and
their daughter Gretchen and her husband Ken
Christie set up a small commercial wine
company called Goldie Wines. At the same
time the family, which has strong ties to the
University – three generations have studied
(and taught) here, with the fourth generation
now in his first year at The Faculty of
Engineering – were looking to the future.
“We wanted to preserve the vineyard’s history
and do something that would work for the
local community”, says Kim, who graduated
from the University in 1961 with a BE in Civil
Engineering. “We thought about the University
and felt the vineyard would be the perfect size
Jeanette and Kim Goldwater and Randy Weaver, Director of the Wine Science programme
for their wine science operation. “Our hope is
that this will become the premium wine
education facility in the whole of the Southern
Hemisphere.” The University has acquired the
Waiheke property partly through a commercial
transition, and partly through the $4m
philanthropic gift. The total land area being
transferred is 13.9 hectares. This includes
winery buildings, a café and function room,
two residences and seven hectares of vine in
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc,
Syrah, Chardonnay and Viognier. These are
bottled in the premium Goldie, and more
accessibly-priced Island brands, producing a
total of about 2,000 to 3,000 cases per year.
The vineyard and winery will operate two
parallel streams. An established team will
continue to produce wines commercially under
the Goldie and Island brands while Wine
Science students will keep producing their own
wines for teaching purposes under the
University’s lngenio label. Students will also
work as interns in the commercial operation,
and have access to the fruit and data for
research.
“The new arrangement means that we will be
hardwired into the industry and able to fine
tune our teaching to what the industry needs,”
explains Wine Science Director, Randy Weaver.
“Teaching for the first half of our year-long
Postgraduate Diploma in Wine Science will be
onsite at the Waiheke estate and students will
continue to work there several days a week for
the remainder of their studies. They will be
exposed to everything from vineyard and
winemaking operations to interacting with the
public in the tasting room.
“We are expanding the curriculum for the
course and anticipate that the number of
students will double to around 30. The scale of
the estate is perfect for teaching purposes and
its proximity to the city, the historic value of the
winery and the natural beauty of the site all
will be major draw cards for local and
international students.”
Kim and Jeanette Goldwater’s success as
leading New Zealand vintners and founders of
Waiheke winemaking industry is the stuff of
legend. It all began in the mid 1960s when
they developed a love of wine while living in
22 | The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
Spain where Kim worked as a civil engineer on
Spain’s first motorway system from Burgos to
Santander. Back in New Zealand, when
attempts to persuade local vintners to produce
European-style wine failed, they decided to do
it themselves.
history. Goldwater wine has since been sold in
26 countries around the world, won dozens of
medals, and the Bordeaux-style 2004 Goldie
Cabernet Merlot Franc features in the newly
released book ‘1,001 wines you must try before
you die: A global guide to the finest wines’. For
Kim, the overall quality of New Zealand wine is
now better than anywhere else in the world,
“ and that’s because our winemakers are
properly trained,” he says.
“That’s why it’s my quiet dream that this
vineyard becomes an important centre for
wine education and research.”
“I know New Zealand lay geographically in the
same latitudes as all of the wine-growing
regions of the Northern Hemisphere so there
was no reason why we couldn’t grow good
wine here,” says Kim, “and I had a hunch that
Waiheke would be a good place because I’d
sailed around there so much. Often it’d be
raining in Auckland and fine on the island. The
Weather Office had quite good temperature
and rainfall records and from those I deduced
that the island’s summer rainfall was a lot less
than Auckland’s and temperature were higher.”
So the couple bought the sloping seaside
property in Putiki Bay and began sailing back
and forth at weekends on their 32-foot
Townson sloop to prepare the soil and plant
the first two acres of grapes. “We jumped in
the water and swam like crazy,” remembers
Jeanette of those early days.
No one else had tried to grow European
grapes on the Island at the time and all they
had to go on initially was California writer AJ.
Winker’s book, ‘General Viticulture’, and Kim’s
meticulous research methodology. This
included things like plotting heat summation
curves to determine how well his grapes would
ripen compared with those in Bordeaux.
In 1982 family and friends helped harvest their
first Cabernet Sauvignon, making two 300-litre
puncheons of wine. In 1985 Goldwater Estate
branding started and Merlot was introduced to
the Cabernet Sauvignon blend. The rest is
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
23
Alumni
CONTINUED
Engineering
graduates reconnect
in Sydney
After more than 60 years since
graduating from The University of
Auckland, a group of former
classmates reunited in Sydney.
Wilton Trembath, Gordon Lee, David Sullivan,
Colin Putt and Clive Nettleton, who all
graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering,
were among those in attendance at the 1949
engineering reunion lunch at the Automobile
Club of Australia in Sydney on 5 May 2011.
The event has become a tradition for the group
and gives them an opportunity to fondly
remember the camaraderie they shared at
Ardmore.
Gordon Lee, David Sullivan, Wilton Trembath, Colin Putt and Clive Nettleton
Wilton, who specialised in Civil
Engineering, regularly meets up with Alumni
living in Sydney and travels to New Zealand to
attend reunions including those held at the
primary school he once attended in Hamilton
and at The University of Auckland.
Pioneer of
Geotechnical
Earthquake
Engineering
of being able to use just the right amount of
simplification and yet preserve the core
concepts of the material at hand. As a Head
of Department he was extremely successful
and respected by all for his sense of fair play
and correct procedures and, consequently, is
remembered with great affection by his past
colleagues. These achievements were set in the
midst of a life that had several significant
challenges; the car accident in Iran, the suicide
of both his parents (at different times), and
losing his first wife at a relatively young age.
That he overcame these hurdles while
maintaining balance, poise and a positive
outlook is a testament to the emotional
strength of the man.
flair for the development of the mechanical
devices needed for this research; on more than
one occasion he remarked that to do
experimental work in soil mechanics one
needed to be as much a mechanical engineer
as a civil engineer. His research frequently
broke new ground and yet was always of
interest to the engineering profession. In the
early 1980s he supervised two masters
students doing experimental work on rocking
foundations. Today, rocking foundations is a
“hot” topic and his papers published more than
30 years ago are still cited.
Emeritus Professor Peter Whitaker
Taylor was born in 1925 and died in
July this year.
Peter obtained BSc from the University of New
Zealand in 1944 and a BE (Hons) degree from
the University of New Zealand in 1945, having
studied for three years at Auckland University
College and completed the final year at
Canterbury University College.
After graduation he was employed for a couple
of years by the Auckland City Council and then
took up a position with the Anglo-Iranian oil
company. While in Iran he had a terrible car
accident which necessitated withdrawal to
England and several bouts of plastic surgery,
with an extended period of recuperation.
While recovering he spent time as a
Demonstrator in soil mechanics at Cambridge
University. Subsequently he worked for the
then London County Council.
In 1953 Peter returned to New Zealand and
took up a lecturing position with the School of
Engineering at Ardmore. He was promoted to
Associate Professor in 1971 and full Professor
in 1977. From 1977 to 1985 he was Head of
the Department of Civil Engineering. He
retired a few years before the then mandatory
age of 65 to pursue consulting interests.
Peter was a gifted teacher. He had the knack
24 | The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
Alongside his teaching stands his legacy to the
geotechnical profession in New Zealand. In
1964 there were two significant earthquakes,
one in Japan at Niigata and the other in
Alaska at Anchorage. These events initiated a
flurry of research activity around the Pacific
Rim and out of which has grown the discipline
of Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering. Peter
Taylor was in the thick of this development. He
supervised a number of graduate students
measuring the cyclic stress-strain response of
soils. This data, combined with those from
other university laboratories, contributed to the
rapid development of new understandings of
soil behaviour under earthquake excitation. As
well as supervising graduate students, several
of whom worked with ingenious devices of his
design, he completed a staff PhD.
During the late 1950s and 1960s laboratory
cyclic load testing at earthquake frequencies
was a challenging undertaking. Peter had a
The combination of Peter’s teaching prowess
and the applicability of his research work
resulted in New Zealand-wide recognition that
his geotechnical group was the best in the
country.
Emeritus Professor Peter Whitaker
Alumni Profile
Ron Mayes
Engineering alumnus Ron Mayes has
made his mark in the US both in the
field of earthquake engineering and
in the sporting arena.
The award winning structural engineer is
well-known for importing a pioneering New
Zealand earthquake-proofing technique to his
adopted country.
In the early 1980s, Ron founded Dynamic
Isolation Systems (DIS), a company, which
introduced to the US market base isolation
technology developed by Bill Robinson and
refined by Ian Buckle, which enables buildings
to better withstand earthquakes.
He also coached the Eagles, the national US
rugby side from 1982 to 1987.
Ron, who was born and raised in Henderson in
Auckland, studied engineering at The
University of Auckland during the late 1960s
and early 1970s, when the main campus was
situated at Ardmore.
“It was an unforgettable experience filled with
great camaraderie as well as hard work,” he
says.
His father, Lloyd, was the one who first
suggested that engineering would be a worthy
career.
“From an early age he encouraged me to think
about becoming a structural engineer, says
Ron.
“My father was a building contractor and was
always in awe of the structural engineers that
designed the structures he built.”
Ron graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering
specialising in Civil Engineering in 1968 and a
postgraduate PhD degree in engineering in
1972.
A Fulbright Scholarship awarded in his final
year of study saw him move to the US to
further his postgraduate studies with the
Earthquake Engineering Research Center
(EERC) based at Berkeley, the University of
California.
“Berkeley was a good place to be in the early
1970s because there was a lot of investment
going into earthquake research.”
They were the first University in the world to
develop a “shaking table” a device which
simulates the ground movements of an
earthquake in order to test the seismic
performance of structures such as buildings
and bridges.
Ron’s original plan was to stay a couple of
years at Berkeley before heading home to
pursue an academic career. But his “carefully
planned career path was shattered,” when he
was told that there were no lecturing positions
available at The University of Auckland or at
Canterbury University.
“I was terribly disappointed to learn that
neither school envisioned having an opening
for another four to five years,” he says.
The change of plan made him rethink his
career path which resulted in him working
part-time as an engineering consultant while
working part-time as a researcher at Berkeley.
From there he co-founded his first company
Computech Engineering Services before going
on to form the company Dynamic Isolation
Systems (DIS). Ron’s business partner in both
companies was Lindsay Jones, another New
Zealander who is from Timaru. Ron, who is an
award winning structural engineer, has also
been the Technical Director and Executive
Director of the Applied Technology Council, a
non-for-profit organisation established by the
Structural Engineers Association of California.
Dynamic Isolation Systems (DIS) has installed
base isolation technology, aimed at preserving
buildings and saving lives, in many private and
public buildings in the US including landmarks
such as the Los Angeles and San Francisco City
Halls.
“The nice thing is that a lot of the old iconic
buildings, you know the real old masonry
buildings you would never build again today,
have all been retrofitted,” says Ron.
coach the University’s alumni team. “We were
really successful as a club team and won the
first five National Club Championships.
I became the US coach in 1982. “It was a
great experience. We did a tour of Australia in
‘83’, and we almost beat NSW and
Queensland and we thought we were doing
pretty well but then we played Australia and
they just thrashed us. That was the year of the
Ellis brothers.”
Ron coached the US team during the 1987
Rugby World Cup. They were in the same pool
as Australia, England and Japan. “We beat
Japan. We played England pretty tough but
Australia, they kicked our butts pretty good.”
Ron and his wife Pamela, a New Zealander, live
in San Francisco. The couple have maintained
close ties with the place where they grew-up.
They own a house in Auckland and now
regularly visit each New Zealand summer.
Ron’s last visit to New Zealand was fortuitous
for the engineering community because he
was in the South Island when the February
earthquake struck.
“I had organised a group of twenty US golfing
friends and we were on a golfing tour of the
South Island. We had left Christchurch four
days before the earthquake so I was down
there at the time and I got a call to see if I
would help with the US reconnaissance team,”
says Ron.
“In the first two or three weeks the City Council
were trying to assess what they should do with
the buildings damaged six stories up, whether
they should repair them, pull them down or
Ron’s company was also responsible for
installing the base isolation engineering
technique in hundreds of bridges in the US,
including the approach spans to San
Francisco’s famous Golden Gate Bridge.
He and his business partner sold DIS, which
they had built into a multi-million dollar
company, in 1997. He currently works for
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, a structural
engineering firm with offices in Boston, San
Francisco, New York and Los Angeles.
Ron’s rugby coaching career, like his
engineering career, also had its beginnings at
The University of Auckland.
A talented rugby player Ron was permanently
relegated to the side lines after he suffered a
serious knee injury while studying at Auckland.
His focus turned to coaching and his first
assignment was with The University’s third
grade team.
Then, at Berkeley, he was asked if he would
Ron Mayes
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
25
Alumni Profile
CONTINUED
give them back to the owner.
engineering company working in Christchurch.
“There were about 30 buildings, six stories and
above that were in that category so I was
helping on a second party assessment of those
buildings.”
“They are just really short on staff so we’ve got
one or two people in Christchurch and then
they send work back so we are doing work for
them in the US.”
Ron spent two and half weeks helping in
Christchurch, an experience which has left an
impact. “It was devastating and it still is. It’s
just awful.”
Ron has been connecting earthquake
engineering experts in New Zealand with their
US counterparts.
He continues to be involved with the
Christchurch rebuild as Simpson Gumpertz &
Heger has an ongoing relationship with an
key technical committee members up here so
we can learn as much as we can from
Christchurch, because you know for every
earthquake, wherever it occurs, there are
lessons for everyone in the world, not just for
the home country.”
“What I’ve tried to do is get some of the key
New Zealanders connected with some of the
From the AUEA President
The AUEA continues to grow and strengthen,
thanks to all alumni support and interest. The
challenge remains; bringing the benefits of
being connected to each other, in supporting
the Faculty, and promoting engineering as a
career of choice.
In 2011 we saw the continuation of the
Associates. Special thanks to AECOM, Beca,
Electrix, Fletchers, Fulton Hogan, Watercare,
McConnell Dowell, Opus, SKM, Synergine, and
Tonkin and Taylor.
The Champion Programme continues, as does
an expanded range of events in Auckland,
Hamilton, Wellington and Tauranga, and the
launch of our alumni website. I encourage you
to visit our website. Use this site as a place to
learn about what is happening amongst the
alumni and for upcoming events.
www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz/auea
Now to celebrate some of the events we
enjoyed together over 2011.
The Annual Luncheon was again held at
Beaufords (Totara Park) in April. It was another
capacity event enjoyed by alumni, partners
and friends. Ian Parton did a great job as our
guest speaker. If you are interested in the 2012
Luncheon, planning has started (it’s on 21
March 2012). Remember it is on a first-comefirst-served basis and usually sells out within
days of tickets being on sale. To secure a ticket
please contact Des Mataga on
[email protected].
The Annual General Meeting was held on 12
July 2011 at the Faculty of Engineering. New
appointments to the Committee included,
myself (re-confirmed as President), along with
David Carter as Vice President, and Raveen
26 | The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering
Jaduram as Secretary. A special thanks goes to
the Committee who give generously of their
time. Should you wish to serve on the
committee, please contact me at
[email protected].
We are also looking for alumni that wish to
serve as regional representatives outside of
Auckland and overseas. If you are interested
then please contact me.
The 2011 Annual AUEA Dinner was an
absolute highlight. A little competition from the
Rugby World Cup challenged a few, but having
said that we had over 500 attending. Be sure
to check out the rest of the photos on our
website. If you weren’t able to join us this year
then mark 22 September 2012 in your
diary for next year. More information on the
dinner is on the next page. This is a prestigious
black tie dinner and tables are keenly sought.
Membership of AUEA is free to all graduates
of the Faculty, Faculty staff and friends. If you
know of alumni who might not receive a copy
of this issue of the Alumni News, please
encourage them to register their email
address with AUEA Membership Secretary
Matt Thomson at
[email protected] or with Sharon
Andersen at [email protected]
Our vision remains to support the alumni, the
Faculty (to achieve leadership in engineering
on the international stage) and grow this
profession as one of first choice. Your
contribution financially or with your time is
always appreciated. On this note, in 2012, we
will be coming to the alumni with a variety of
options for regular annual giving, project
specific fundraising events for some exciting
projects supporting the aspirations of the
Dean Kimpton, President AUEA
Faculty and our opportunity within the
community as engineering alumni, and of
course another series of events to bring us
together.
To alumni who wish to support AUEA and the
Faculty, please see the Foundations for the
Future section on the last page of the Alumni
News or feel free to contact me directly
[email protected]. Please make your
donation to AUEA Charitable Trust or the
AUEA Endowment Fund to ensure full tax
deductibility.
We look forward to seeing you in the future at
one of our many upcoming events.
www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz/auea
Upcoming Events
Alumni Events
Whangarei Alumni and Friends
Reception
Date: Friday 2 March 2012
Time: 5.30pm to 8.30pm
Venue: Forum North
Speaker: Professor Charles Royal, Director of
Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga. Professor Royal is
a researcher and composer/musician whose
research interest lies with the ‘creative
potential’ of mātauranga Māori/indigenous
knowledge.
Registrations open in late January.
Auckland Live!
Mana, mettle and magic
Date: Thursday 8 March 2012
2012 Alumni Dinner
Pre-event drinks: 6.00pm – 6.30pm
Event: 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Venue: Maidment Theatre
An evening with our 2012 Distinguished
Alumni Award winners, including Engineering
graduate Dr Mark Sagar. Hosted by Qantas
Media Award winner and Sunday Star Times
columnist Finlay MacDonald.
The next annual Alumni Dinner will be held on
Saturday 22 September at the Pullman Hotel
Auckland, corner of Princes St and Waterloo
Quadrant near the University Campus. The
formal black tie affair will take place from
6.30pm to midnight.
Registrations open in late January.
If you would like to attend any of these
events please contact Sharon Andersen at
[email protected]
The annual dinner is a unique opportunity for
members of Faculty, University and old friends
to reconnect and share experiences. This year
we will be celebrating all alumni who
graduated in a year ending in ‘2’, i.e. 1952,
1962, 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002.
We encourage you all to attend the 2012
Annual Alumni Dinner. All Alumni are welcome
from any graduating year.
To attend this event, look out for your
registration form in the next Alumni News.
If you would like to reserve your table now
please contact Sharon Andersen at:
[email protected] or phone
+64 9 373 7599 ext 88225.
For information on any of our alumni events
please visit: www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz/events
The University of Auckland, Faculty of Engineering |
27
Foundations for the future
When you provide a gift to the Faculty of
Engineering, you are supporting New
Zealand’s leading research university.
Thanks to the generosity and commitment of
distinguished alumni, industry partners and
friends. The impact of the Faculty is felt around
the world – through ground-breaking research,
and graduates who become leaders in their
professions and communities. The Faculty of
Engineering requires their loyal support and
financial involvement to reach our goals.
Monetary assistance helps to ease the
financial burden of countless engineering
students. It also empowers us to continue our
tradition of excellence in research innovation
and assists us in providing students’ with a
world-class education, thus building bridges to
a better future for us all.
With our students and your generous support
you can be proud that you are making an
investment in the future of Engineering. Your
contribution will be channelled directly into
that fund. Donations can be made by
completing the form below or if you if would
like to talk to us about other ways in which you
would like to assist, please contact our External
Relations Manager Sharon Andersen,
[email protected]
AUEA Cecil Segedin Endowment Fund
Was established to recognise the significant
contribution to Cecil Segedin’s work in the
fields of Engineering Science and Applied
Mathematics. The fund will provide financial
support for undergraduate students.
go to assisting applications from participating
countries in the Colombo plan. In 2012 the
Faculty will be awarding the first Colombo
Scholarships.
The Engineering Endowment Fund
AUEA Ardmore Fund
Was established by students from the School
of Engineering in Ardmore, class of 1957-59,
after their successful reunion in April 2000.
The awards are made to students who have
excelled academically and who exemplify
the camaraderie, school spirit and values
representative of “The Ardmore Years”. Special
consideration is given to students experiencing
financial hardship.
Colombo Plan Scholarships
The Colombo Plan was formed in 1950 to
assist economic development in South and
Southeast Asia. It enabled students from the
region to train in more developed countries
in areas such as dentistry, agriculture, food
processing and engineering. We have had over
220 Colombo Plan students join the Faculty
between 1950-1970, many of whom have gone
to become international leaders in industry
and research making significant economic and
social contribution in their home countries and
throughout the world. These Scholarships will
Has been established with the specific purpose
of helping fund much of the specialised
equipment needed for research purposes. For
the Faculty to be at the forefront of
engineering we need to invest heavily in our
future, research projects, upgrading and
expansions of our physical facilities and
support for selected academic positions. This
fund will help us to achieve our goals in these
competitive times, and see us continue to
maintain our position as a worldwide leader in
engineering.
AUEA Endowment Fund
Has been established by AUEA, a committed
funding partner of the Faculty of Engineering,
to support the need to attract and retain the
most talented staff and students possible. The
Fund’s main focus is on providing
undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral
scholarships. The significant and projected
growth of the Faculty is in need of your
generous support.
4-2*#*()$1-02..-/1
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NAME:
ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE:
EMAIL:
YOUR DONATION: $
CHEQUE made payable to The University of Auckland Foundation
or
CREDIT CARD
Card Number:
Expiry Date:
If you are making a donation from the United States, please make
cheque payable to Friends of The University of Auckland and send to:
Friends of The University of Auckland, c/- Gift Processing,
External Relations, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019,
Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
Card Type: VISA MASTERCARD AMEX (CIRCLE ONE)
Name on Card:
Signature:
Please complete form and return to Sharon Andersen. Thank you for your generosity. You can be proud of your commitment to making a
difference in our young students’ lives.
Contact
Sharon Andersen
External Relations Manager
Faculty of Engineering
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88225
Email: [email protected]
www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz
Postal Address:
Faculty of Engineering
The University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland
New Zealand