A new focus on work-integrated learning placements in engineering degrees is leading to early success for Flinders University graduates, according to Flinders University’s Professor John Roddick.

Professor Roddick, Dean of Flinders’ Tonsley based School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics (CSEM), said close ties with business and industry were key to that achievement.

“The presence of the University’s computer science, engineering and mathematics activities at Tonsley means we are where the action is,” said Professor Roddick. 

“The close business-industry relationships developing at the Tonsley Precinct – also home to TAFE SA, Hills Industries, Siemens, Signostics, Tier5 and Zen Energy Systems, will further expand the work integrated learning placement opportunities for Flinders students”. 

A distinct feature of Flinders engineering degrees is its nationally recognised, six-month, industry placement, through which third year engineering students gain first-hand understanding of the industry. 

As a result, students are often involved in practical design and implementation and developing new engineering processes before they finish their degrees. 

And with more than 100 local, national and international companies supporting the placements program, they also provide Flinders engineering students with an invaluable opportunity to network with industry. 

Redarc Electronics business owner Anthony Kittel, who hired a Flinders Mechanical Engineering graduate last year, said knowing that students had proven on-the-job performance makes them an attractive candidate for employment.

“The high quality graduates produced by Flinders University are able to hit the ground running and generate immediate results for our advanced manufacturing business,” said Mr Kittel.

“Projects that would normally only be allocated to a qualified person with several years’ work experience are being confidently undertaken by Flinders graduates. 

“They have a level of maturity, people interaction skills and problem solving abilities which really impress our team and customers.”

Flinders engineering programs have been recognised with a string of awards in recent times. 

In 2014, Flinders lecturer David Hobbs led a team that received a commendation in the Research and Innovation category of the 2014 South Australian Engineering Excellence Awards. 

The team, which includes the University of South Australia and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, received a commendation for OrbIT – a gaming system for people with conditions such as cerebral palsy or acquired brain injuries which limit their hand function.

The project included 15 custom-made computer games and an accessible gaming controller named ‘Orby’. 

Flinders University biomedical engineer Professor John Arkwright also led a multi-disciplinary team to win the Sir William Hudson Award for Engineering Excellence for the development of a novel manometry (pressure-sensing) catheter at the 2014 Australian Engineering Excellence Awards ceremony. 

Professor Arkwright collaborated with the CSIRO, Flinders Medical Centre and Griffith University to develop the revolutionary new device, which has the ability to record and characterise muscular activity deep within the human body to increase understanding of a range of bowel conditions and diseases. 

In 2012, Flinders also received the highest award at the 2012 SA Engineering Excellence Awards for its Six Degree of Freedom Hexapod Robot.

Designed by internationally-recognised biomechanics engineer Dr John Costi, the Hexapod Robot has enhanced understanding of the performance of normal and diseased joints and their artificial replacements through 3D simulations of complex joint motion.