On 3 November 2022, at the Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia, EIT hosted its first in-person Graduation Gala in three years since the Covid-19 pandemic started.
Over the past four years, Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) students from around the world have not only been living through a pandemic and adjusting to its challenges, but also diligently working towards earning their degrees. Finally, on 3 November 2022, their hard work and commitment were cemented into the halls of academia with a stylish graduation ceremony held in Perth, Australia. The COVID-19 pandemic and its stringent social distancing guideline meant that this was also the first in-person graduation ceremony held in three years.
And what better venue to honor these future kings and queens of engineering than the Optus Stadium, one of Perth’s own engineering marvels? Recently voted the “Most Beautiful Sports Facility in the World”, the Optus is also the most state-of-the-art stadium in Australia and boasts stunning views of the CBD and the Swan River.
With 183 students physically attending the ceremony, 19 others flying in from their respective countries, plus another 100 live-streaming the event — proceedings kicked off with the master of ceremonies, Ms. Kym Spann, the Student and Graduate Engagement Manager for Engineers Australia, acknowledging those who had traveled great distances to be there. Students, their families, and friends from across Australia, and from as far away as Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, among others, flew in to attend the ceremony.
“Thank you all for joining us, whether you are here in person or streaming in from around the world. I would also like to extend a special thanks to our wonderful EIT team here in Australia. They have worked tirelessly to ensure that we have an excellent evening,” said Ms. Spann.
Just before EIT’s latest batch of graduates prepared to accept their diplomas, advanced diplomas, undergraduate certificates, graduate certificates, and graduate diplomas, as well as bachelor of science degrees and master of engineering degrees, Dr. Steve Mackay, the Dean of EIT had some words of wisdom for the eager graduates.
He reminded them that education and learning were an ongoing process and that there are bound to be failures along the way. In reference to how climate change was also altering the engineering playing field, Dr. Mackay encouraged the graduates to embrace challenges and use their education and skills to solve these issues.
Ms. Indumathi V., the Deputy of EIT, imparted some words of inspiration to the graduates. “Engineering courses and qualifications are tough, and yet every EIT student attending today, physically and virtually, has succeeded. I applaud you all. To those of you who have juggled your studies alongside work and family commitments – very well done!” she said.
Among the almost 200 EIT qualifications handed over on the day, there were also special awards granted to four graduates for their exceptional achievements. The first was the Academic Excellence Award which went to Amos Ologunleko of Nigeria for his Master of Engineering in Industrial Automation. His Masters’s course comprised 12 three-unit modules and a 12-unit project thesis. Of all his modules, this graduate had 10 high distinctions (including his Project Thesis) and three distinctions with an overall grade point average of 3.81/4.00.
The next award, The Commitment to Community Award, was granted to Dave Simenauer, of Queensland, Australia on his Advanced Diploma of Industrial Automation. Dave, who is currently working with the Process Control Engineering team at Rio Tinto in Weipa Australia, and participating in two community engagement groups through Rio Tinto, partly attributes getting this role to his studies with EIT.
This was followed by The Dean’s Entrepreneurship Award, which was granted to Sanish Sam of Victoria, Australia for his Master of Engineering in Electrical Systems. On top of his full-time job, this graduate is also working on starting his own design firm and becoming an independent contractor and subject matter expert in overhead wiring and substation design.
And last but not least, Eugene Bantje of Perth, Australia, Perth snagged the Resilience in Action Award for his Master of Engineering in Industrial Automation. Eugene’s journey to this point was filled with many challenges. He had not one but two hospital stays, emergency surgeries, and long recoveries during his studies. However, in spite of these challenges, he still completed his thesis and passed his Master of Engineering with a higher distinction average.
At any point in time, there are over 2,000 students from over 150 countries studying through EIT. The reason the Institute produces such strong graduates is because of the personal and supported approach that it provides to its students in both the online and on-campus learning environment. And this year’s graduates bore testament to the undying dedication of EIT’s staff to their students.
Some notable EIT highlights include:
● In 2021 EIT won the National Export Award for Education and Training award.
● In 2021 we were rated ‘Top Engineering Undergraduate Experience’ in the Australian Government QILT survey which canvasses all Australian universities.
● EIT is poised to open a campus in Midrand, South Africa for students who want to embark on a Bachelor’s degree with EIT. The full-fledged campus will feature an engineering lab, library, and student-focused amenities.
● In Australia EIT is working towards gaining University College Status.
Study with the engineering specialists for more information: https://www.eit.edu.au
