Meet two Electrical & ITEE College Award winners and find out about their work, hobbies and what inspired them to pursue engineering.
Vinod Kumar Gupta FIEAust CPEng NER
National Professional Electrical Engineer of the Year
Vinod has 30 years’ engineering experience and has worked on international mega projects in the power, oil and gas, and infrastructure sectors. Vinod has a Master of Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration. In 2009, Vinod was awarded BHP Billiton’s Zero Harm Award.
What is your current job/role title and function?
I am currently working as Senior Design Manager with ElectraNet in South Australia, where I am responsible for engineering, construction and commissioning of substations and transmission lines for both Greenfield and Brownfield projects.
Why did you choose engineering as a profession?
In engineering, there is always a variety of work and the projects directly impact society in positive ways.
What is the most challenging project you have ever worked on and why?
The first expansion of Dubai International Airport in 1994-97 as Lead Electrical Engineer with Bechtel. The project had multiple challenges, ranging from ensuring continuity of existing operations while performing design and construction activities to a fast growing world hub.
Engineers can save the world. Who would you want on your project team with you?
People who are willing to take risks and to adopt to new and improved systems/processes.
If the whole world was listening, what would you say?
We should avoid conflicts and find a solution that is in the best interest of all stakeholders.
What is your favourite quote?
‘Do it right first time’ by Philip Crosby.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Practical, pragmatic and team player.
What is the greatest piece of technology released in the last decade?
Wireless internet, which has revolutionised the way we communicate.
What is the best piece of advice your parents gave you?
‘Believe in yourself’, which gives me the strength to deliver my best.
If you could take a year off to study anything, what would it be?
I would undertake research work to advance my engineering knowledge and its application to improve power system security and reliability.
What are your hobbies?
Tennis and reading magazines and technical journals.
Matthew Sheedy MIEAust
David Robinson Award winner
Matthew MIEAust graduated as a Computer Systems Engineer with Honours from ten years ago. He has since received a Masters of Engineering Management and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Biomedical Engineering. In addition to the David Robinson Award, Matthew has received a number of community, sporting and academic awards.
What is your current job/role title and function?
I’m a Senior Design Engineer at Genesys Electronics Design, where I design and develop hardware and firmware.
Why did you choose engineering as a profession?
As a kid, I was interested in computers/electronics and I wanted to become an inventor so I could innovate and make cool stuff.
What does winning this award mean to you?
As a quiet achiever, winning this award is a testament that through hard work, dedication fuelled by a continued passion to design and innovate, and volunteering your time, your peers will recognise your efforts.
What project are you working on now?
I am working on a new generation medical device, to be used during cervical screening to detect cervical cancer.
What is the most challenging project you have ever worked on and why?
The most challenging project I have been involved in was the design and development of an atmospheric plasma system, which used Argon as its plasma gas. This was a cutting-edge project that had many technical challenges and required the involvement of a large number of engineers.
What is your favourite TV show?
Silicon Valley.
What is the most recent book you read?
The last book in the Discworld series, Raising Steam, by Terry Pratchett.
What is your favourite movie?
Star Wars IV.
What is the greatest piece of technology released in the last decade?
The smart phone, due to its proliferation/uptake around the world and the immediate impact it had on society, including spawning new industrial sectors.
Vinod Gupta and Matthew Sheedy will receive their awards at The Electrical & Information, Telecommunications and Electronics Engineering (ITEE) College Awards Evening 2017 at the Gold Coast on Friday 6 October. Join us in celebrating the achievements of our electrical and ITEE engineers. Sponsorship opportunities at the event are available.