Hi, I’m Adeeba!
I'm a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Electrical Engineering student. I joined the Women in Engineering Student Leaders to give advice about electrical engineering and support future students.
What or who inspired you to choose engineering?
As I grew up in Auckland, NZ - the University of Auckland had their own Women in Engineering group, who ran a 3-day camp to help young women see what engineering was all about. That was when I was exposed to the various fields of engineering, and saw the tangible and profound impact they have in our life - making me want to study it too!
Why did you choose the discipline you are studying?
I chose engineering because I really enjoy applying my maths and physics knowledge and seeing how it works in the real world. I picked electrical specifically because I think there’s something really cool about learning how behind-the-scenes forces like electricity and electromagnetism power entire systems and change lives.
What is one thing about university or engineering that you wished you knew earlier?
A lot of the learning happens outside the classroom. What you learn in lectures is just the tip of the iceberg and should be treated like a preview - so you need to set out some time outside of classes to thoroughly understand and apply the content.
What made you pick engineering at the University of Queensland over other universities?
I really love the calm and peace of the St Lucia campus over the hustle and bustle of city-based campuses. Walking past the lakes early in the morning and seeing the ducklings crossing the water, is a lovely sight and something I’m so lucky to have at UQ.
And also - the scholarships! There are so many scholarships available for commencing students at UQ, and they’re something which can be incredibly life changing.
Give us your best tip for first-year engineering students?
Choose the thing that you’re actually passionate about! And never let fear dissuade you from that path - you are capable of doing whatever you set your mind to.
Tell us your favourite example of amazing engineering?
My favourite example of amazing engineering is Stanford’s Manu Prakash’s Foldscope - a strip that helps detect malaria, all for 50 cents. The Foldscope is revolutionary because typically, the equipment required to detect malaria costs thousands of dollars and requires electricity - which makes it almost completely inaccessible for many people in developing countries. Thus, his invention is a great example of humanitarian engineering as it significantly simplified the detection of malaria, which is estimated to save 51 billion lives.
This invention, which I learned about from a Mark Rober video, was another reason that inspired me to pursue engineering!
What's your dream engineering job when you graduate?
My dream engineering job once I graduate isn’t really specific - all I care about is that I apply my electrical engineering knowledge to have a positive impact on society - right now, I’m aspiring to work in the renewable energy sector.
What do you hope to achieve as a WE student leader?
I hope to get the message out about what engineering truly is to as many young people as possible, so that they can make informed decisions about their future. I also see this role as my opportunity to give back - to be the supportive presence I once relied on when I was just starting out.
