Engineering Alumni News
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Engineering Alumni News December 2012 | A Newsletter for Engineering Alumni | Number 28 In the last few months I have had the opportunity Message from the Dean to meet and enjoy the company of engineering This is the last Message from the Dean that I will be alumni at functions both in New Zealand and writing for Engineering Alumni News. I leave at the overseas – Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne end of the year to take up a new post at the (hosted by Opus) and in Brisbane (hosted by Beca). University of Sussex in the UK. I became Dean of Whilst most alumni functions are held in Auckland, Engineering in May 2007 and I cannot believe how this is the first time the AUEA have done this quickly time flies. It wasn’t so long ago that I was overseas. I am very grateful to Opus and Beca for being welcomed warmly to the Faculty by providing a venue as well as to the organisations colleagues, students and alumni – and occasionally that have opened their offices for AUEA still being referred to as the “new Dean”! What a Workplace Champions events closer to home. great privilege to be appointed the Dean of a Faculty that has a proud history for its excellence in In early September I accompanied the Vice teaching and research. As I have developed a Chancellor on his visit to New York and Boston deeper knowledge of the achievements of the where he hosted two very successful alumni placing in the competitions. It was pointed out to me former and current students and staff, I have events. It was most interesting to catch up with by the tournament organisers that not only were our become exceedingly proud of my association with several of our engineering alumni and some current Faculty’s teams most successful overall, but they were the Faculty. It has also been a privilege and a students working or studying in the cities. Later in most dedicated and vocal supporters! In the pleasure to be able to meet so many alumni and September we held our annual Engineering Alumni international sporting arena Stephanie Hazard, a friends (both in New Zealand and overseas), many dinner. As always, the event, a highlight of the student from the Department of Mechanical of whom I now count amongst my personal friends. engineering social calendar, was an enjoyable night Engineering, represented New Zealand in the London which attracted a large crowd. In response to a Olympics as helm in the Elliott 6m yacht class and I have particularly enjoyed learning from our more request from the AUEA, I used my address to Bobby Kells, studying in the Department of Civil and provide a snapshot of the research work that is senior alumni about hard work and antics at Environmental Engineering, won a bronze medal at taking place in the Faculty. I have to admit to being “Ardmore”! Conversations reveal strong bonds of the Under-23 rowing world championships in slightly concerned about how this might be received friendship between those who studied there, Lithuania as part of the mens coxed four. together with a loyalty to the School of Engineering but was delighted by the universally positive and a desire to see the School – which has grown response from people at the dinner. The sheer I have enjoyed my time as Dean of Engineering into the Faculty of Engineering, continue to be range of research activities taking place across immensely. Statistics show this period, as one of successful. I strongly believe that the “Ardmore the Faculty and the high, internationally significant growth in the number of highly qualified competitive achievements of my colleagues in Spirit” has remained with the student body over undergraduate students in the Faculty and an doing this never fails to amaze and delight me. I the intervening years and now resides amongst unparalleled growth in the number of postgraduate was very pleased that I was able to share this with the students in the Faculty of Engineering. students studying for masters and doctoral degrees. alumni and friends of the Faculty of Engineering. External research funding won by staff has doubled My period as Dean also coincided with a major In the same month, the Department of Chemical during this period and there has been a revival of the AUEA. This has been led by corresponding growth in research publications and successive Presidents: Des Mataga, Ian Parton, and Materials Engineering celebrated Emeritus Professor George Ferguson’s 43 years of service the impact of the Faculty’s research. These Dean Kimpton and David Carter. My gratitude to the University. George, who retired formally achievements have been the result of the goes to each of them for their hard work and this year, was a founding academic member of enthusiasm and dedication of the Faculty’s well valuable advice. I believe this has enabled the the department. During his academic career he qualified and innovative academic and professional Faculty to interact more strongly with its alumni made an outstanding contribution to the staff and, of course, the hard work of students at all to the benefit, I believe, of both parties. University as an inspiring teacher, internationally stages of their studies. The Faculty’s alumni, as individuals and through the AUEA, have also made In the last issue June 2012 I wrote about the renowned researcher and a successful Head of imminent commencement of the $216 million Department. I am sure you will join me in wishing a significant contribution to the continued success programme for the redevelopment and upgrade him a long and happy retirement. of the Faculty’s activities. This has been through of the Faculty of Engineering buildings at the City financial support and summer placement for Once again there were many engineering academics Campus, the refurbishment of the Ray Meyer students, the employing of graduates as well as who have received accolades in the past few months. providing advice that supports the teaching and Centre, and the construction of a new building Professor Richard Flay was awarded the Medal of for research at the Tāmaki Innovation Campus. research of the Faculty, and last but not least, as Distinction from the Royal Institution of Naval advocates for the work of the Faculty both in New Some of you may be aware, that the University Architects (RINA), Associate Professor Valeriy Vyatkin has entered into a conditional agreement to Zealand and overseas. I am grateful to you all for and Dr Nirmal Nair were awarded the Andrew P your invaluable support of the Faculty. purchase the 5.2ha former Lion Breweries site in Sage Best Transactions Paper award from IEEE Newmarket. Should we be successful, no further Systems, Man and Cybernetics Society, and Associate As I mentioned above, I am very proud of my development will take place at the Tämaki Professor Bryony James was one of a small number association with the Faculty of Engineering at The Innovation Campus but instead be relocated to of academics to receive the distinction of a University University of Auckland and, although not eligible the new Newmarket Campus. Significantly, until Teaching Excellence Award. to join the ranks of the Faculty’s alumni officially, this is complete, commencement of any work on I look forward to maintaining my links with the the main buildings for Engineering (in the city) As a demonstration that the “Ardmore Spirit” is alive Faculty and the many alumni I have met during will be postponed - pushing the completion date and well and that our students receive sporting as my time as Dean. of the redevelopment programme out by at least well as academic accolades, I am delighted to report a year. Although the delay may disappoint some that the Faculty won the University Interfaculty students and staff, once the Faculty prepares to Sports Tournament for 2012. Teams of students from move into the excellent and innovative buildings each Faculty compete in Badminton, Basketball, that are being planned, I am sure they will agree Cricket, Netball, Rugby, Touch Rugby and Volleyball - Professor Michael C. R. Davies that the wait will have been worthwhile! with the winner being determined by the best overall Dean of Engineering building improvements, due to be UK-bound Dean completed in the next four years, will leaves Faculty in bolster the Faculty’s international good health standing. After five years at the helm of New Professor Davies has juggled two roles for Zealand’s top Engineering Faculty the majority of his time at the University. Professor Michael Davies is moving In 2009 he became head of The University closer to his Welsh homeland to take up of Auckland’s Tāmaki Innovation Campus a new position with the University of and last year he was appointed Pro Sussex in South East England. Vice-Chancellor of the Campus. Deciding to leave the University – and He was responsible for the rebranding of more importantly the Faculty – was an the Tämaki campus. “For me it was about exceedingly difficult decision to make, bringing focus to activities and the says Professor Davies. innovation happening at Tämaki and taking what we do at the University to “I have enjoyed immensely my time at serve society.” The University of Auckland and I’ve found my role as Dean of the Faculty of One of the first tasks Professor Davies Engineering to be richly rewarding. tackled when he started at the Faculty was to produce its first ever strategic “This is not least because of the calibre plan. Another strategic plan is on his of my colleagues in the Faculty, who have to-do-list before he leaves.