Abigail Arulandu
As a child, Abigail Arulandu liked pulling things apart and putting them back together but she’d never considered being an engineer until she saw search and rescue robots in action at Study at Vic Day.
“At secondary school I thought I wanted to study criminology but going to the Vic open day and seeing some of the amazing stuff being designed by engineering students inspired me to change my mind,” says Abigail.
21-year-old Abigail came to engineering with only a little experience of computers and no knowledge of programming or electronics. It made the first year of study quite challenging but also exciting and by year two, Abigail knew she had found what she wanted to do.
“Engineering is practical and hands-on and you gain a really broad range of skills. There are so many things out there you can apply your learning to.”
Her major focus for her fourth and final year of her engineering honours degree is developing a device to help rehabilitate stroke patients. The robot is designed to strap on to their arms and help move their fingers and thumb, assisting patients to relearn the sensation of muscle movement.
“My goal is to finish a prototype, test it on patients, enrol in a Masters to further develop the device and ultimately see it being manufactured and sold.”
Friendly and flexible is how Abigail describes the School of Engineering. “The classes are not too huge and it’s easy to get to know other students and the staff. We also have new laboratories and buildings so the facilities and equipment are fantastic.”
Abigail grew up in Wellington and says it’s a great place to live. “There’s a bit of everything you’d expect in a city but the countryside is accessible too and people are really friendly.”
Giving things a go is Abigail’s tip to new students at Victoria. “I had no idea four years ago that I would be doing what I am but I’m glad I took the plunge. It’s good to take a bit of a risk and try something new.”