Preparing for takeoff into Avionics with New Colombo Plan Scholarship

Federation University Australia student Angus Siegloff will be jet-setting to Japan in June after being awarded a New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship that will help him achieve his aspirations for a career in Avionics Engineering.

The NCP Scholarship Program provides scholarships to a diverse cohort of Australian university students to undertake offshore programs including study, internships, mentorships and language training for up to 19 months in eligible Indo-Pacific host locations.

Originally from Bendigo, the 20-year-old is currently studying a Bachelor of Electrical and Information Engineering (Honours) at Federation's Mt Helen Campus. Angus chose electrical engineering as he has always had a love of problem solving and mathematics.

Angus will start his adventure in Hokkaido with a three-month language training program. He will then begin his electrical engineering study at Shibaura Institute of Technology in Tokyo for a further five months.

"Japan has a rich history of pioneering within electrical engineering research and industry. Japan's engineering universities are of a high calibre, and I am interested to find how the teaching methodologies differ," he said.

While in Japan, Angus hopes to undertake an internship with Mitsubishi, "I'm most excited about the internship opportunities within Japan's industry and am currently exploring options with Mitsubishi and Fuji heavy industries," he said.

In the future, Angus has his hopes set on pursuing a career in Avionics Engineering, with an interest in how aviation can reduce emissions and become more affordable.

"As the world has been working towards reducing carbon emissions, we have seen a large transition to electric vehicles. Aviation is a sector for which this transition has not been able to happen yet due to the weight of current battery technology," he said.

"Engineering in general has created almost everything we see around us today. In today's world we are powered by electricity and without electrical engineers the world would come to a halt."

"The new Colombo plan scholarship will provide me an opportunity to build significant relations within Japan's university and industry sectors which I expect to give me excellent experience to break into further study and a career within avionics engineering," he said.

Angus has a bright future ahead after his trip to Japan, with his sights set on working in control and signals processing in the defence force or private aviation industry on completion of his study.

Federation University offers a Bachelor of Electrical and Information Engineering, for more information please head here.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy, Jinfeng (Jerry) Hu

"Angus has always been keen to learn about electrical and electronics. Over the past months, he has actively sought advice on course selection and his study plan. I can feel his enthusiasm in preparation for this scholarship."

"I believe Angus will obtain useful experience and skills in this overseas study in Japan. And I hope this can be a good example for Federation University Australia students, inspiring them to keep exploring opportunities."

Quotes attributable Federation University Study Abroad and Exchange Coordinator, Iain Johnson

"Angus is a fantastic NCP candidate with many strings to his bow. In addition to his academic ability, he is also heavily involved with the Australian Para Ice Hockey team as part of their assistance coaching team."

"Angus represents the best of Federation Engineering students in not only being academically clever, but contributing to his community through volunteer work and is a well-liked happy and iconic character."