Engineering experts share experiences

Engineering students from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Springfield campus heard from a number of industry professionals this semester as part of a guest lecture series aimed at bringing industry experience into the classroom.

Senior Lecturer Dr David Thorpe said the guest lecturers gave first year engineering students an opportunity to listen to real-life experiences and exposed them to contacts that would be invaluable in terms of job opportunities and career development in the future.

'Most of all it gives them a wider view into the industry they will one day enter,' Dr Thorpe said.

'The guest lecturers have spoken to the students about their own industries and experiences.

'Through the guest lecture series the students have been able to drill down into specific roles within engineering and how it may impact them in their own future careers.'

Director of Research and Development at Excel Technology Group (ETG) and guest speaker, Paul Higgins, recently spoke to the students about Intelligent Transport Systems.

'In 1977 Paul established the Brisbane City Council Traffic Signal Laboratory which ultimately produced Brisbane’s BLISS wide area traffic management system.

'Under Paul’s direction Excel Technology Group (ETG) has designed and developed approximately 30 intelligent transport products for systems and isolated operation.

'Paul’s lecture was very interesting and, among other things, presented the students a view of tools used to by engineers to develop and manage better roads, as well as vehicle sensing technologies used by traffic law enforcement agencies.

'This kind of expertise coming into our lecture rooms is truly a wonderful opportunity for our students.'

Other guest lecturers include Errol George, an Ipswich resident who completed the requirements to become a barrister to complement his engineering qualifications, as well as senior Ipswich City Council engineering officers.

Mr George spoke to the students on the legal aspects of engineering.

For further information on engineering programs offered at USQ Springfield campus go to http://www.usq.edu.au/springfield/, phone 1800 811 380 or email studyspringfield@usq.edu.au

Media Contact: Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979