Why did you choose to study your discipline?
I initially chose to study electrical & computer engineering because I wanted to learn about cutting edge technology and be at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution. This was clearly a very fulfilling journey as it motivated me to pursue a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, again at UQ.
My PhD research focuses on improving Earth observation capability using satellite imagery for natural disaster response applications. This project is very important to me as my two home countries, Bangladesh and Fiji, both frequently suffer from natural disasters and I would like to play my part to reduce the impact of these disasters. There are innumerable opportunities of making significant contributions to virtually any application domain through STEM-based majors. Therefore, if you enjoy problem solving and collaborative work environments, I would highly encourage you all to pursue a career in STEM.
What advice do you have for prospective students interested in studying engineering, architecture, computer science and/or information technology at UQ?
My best tip for a prospective student would be to diversify your learning opportunities as much as possible, both academically and professionally. Unless you are absolutely certain on your specialisation for the future, I would highly recommend taking elective courses from various sub-disciplines of your degree to get a feel for the possibilities. Apply the same philosophy in your search for internships and volunteering opportunities. Once you amass enough breadth of experience, you can define your area of interest much more easily. Get involved with university life and develop those enterprise skills early on. They will take you a long way!
What do you love most about your degree?
What I love most about my degree is the collaborative and welcoming environment that is on offer for everyone. In my early years of university, I made the mistake of not fully engaging with the UQ community and ended up feeling somewhat isolated. However, I quickly realised that there are so many opportunities to find your place on campus. All I had to do was take the initiative to reach out and immerse myself in the campus experience, which is invaluable, both for professional success and personal satisfaction.
