Engineering student to study abroad

A FEDERATION University student is heading to Japan next month after being awarded a New Colombo Plan scholarship.

Twenty-year-old Angus Siegloff is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Electrical and Information Engineering (Honours) at the institution’s Mount Helen campus.

With the goal of achieving a career in avionics engineering, he’ll spend three months in Hokkaido to undertake a language training

program followed by five months of electrical engineering studies at Shibaura Institute of Technology in Tokyo.

Mr Siegloff said Japan is an ideal country to further his knowledge.

“Japan has a rich history of pioneering within electrical engineering research and industry,” he said.

“Japan’s engineering universities are of a high calibre, and I am interested to find how the teaching methodologies differ.

“I’m most excited about the internship opportunities within Japan’s industry and am currently exploring options with Mitsubishi and Fuji heavy industries.”

The New Colombo Plan scholarship is aimed at delivering overseas-based programs to Australian tertiary students including study, internships, mentorships, and language training initiatives for up to 19 months at specific Indo-Pacific locations.

Drawn to electrical engineering due to his interests in mathematics and problem-solving, Mr Siegloff said he’s keen to explore greener and more affordable solutions in the field of aviation.

“As the world has been working towards reducing carbon emissions, we have seen a large transition to electric vehicles,” he said.

“Aviation is a sector for which this transition has not been able to happen yet due to the weight of current battery technology.

“Engineering in general has created almost everything we see around us today. In today’s world we are powered by electricity and without electrical engineers the world would come to a halt.”

“The New Colombo Plan scholarship will provide me an opportunity to build significant relations within Japan’s university and industry sectors which I expect to give me excellent experience to break into further study and a career within avionics engineering.”

Federation University associate professor in electrical engineering and renewable energy, Jinfeng Hu said Mr Siegloff’s upcoming trip will be an invaluable experience in furthering his studies.

“Angus has always been keen to learn about electrical and electronics,” he said.

“Over the past months, he has actively sought advice on course selection and his study plan. I can feel his enthusiasm in preparation for this scholarship.

“I believe Angus will obtain useful experience and skills in this overseas study in Japan. And I hope this can be a good example for Federation University Australia students, inspiring them to keep exploring opportunities.”