Faculty of Science and Information Technology

School of Design, Communication and Information Technology
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
School of Psychology

2011 Faculty of Science and Information Technology Achievers

Captain Mohammed Faiz bin Kamaludin
Captain, Malaysian Airlines
Malaysian astronaut candidate, Malaysia

Master of Aviation Management 2011
GradSchool.com.au

2011 JOINT RECIPIENT – ALUMNI AWARD FOR REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

Not content with merely captaining large commercial passenger planes for Malaysian Airlines, Faiz is also one of Malaysia’s top four astronaut candidates. Faiz takes great delight in acting as a role model to the local community, and in the promotion of aerospace to the public, and in particular to local school children.

Through his roles as President of the Astronautical Association of Malaysia, and as the Director of Aerospace Education Services, Faiz has established awareness programs that are supplemented by workshops, television appearances, road shows to rural areas, career talks at universities, an international aerospace documentary, and the publication of his book. Faiz‘s passion and enjoyment in educating youth on aerospace science and technology is evident in the high level of engagement he has fostered across his region.

Mr Glendyn Ivin
Director, Exit Films
Victoria, Australia

Bachelor of Arts (Graphic Design) 1994

2011 FINALIST – THE NEWTON-JOHN AWARD

Glendyn was 25 years old when he quit a successful career in graphic design to study filmmaking with a focus on documentaries. Six years later, Glendyn’s first short drama Cracker Bag catapulted him onto the world cinema stage after it won the Palme d’Or for short films at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.

Since 2000 Glendyn has been a director of Exit Films one of Australia’s largest and most awarded commercial production companies. Glendyn has produced a wide body of critically acclaimed work, including his award winning film Neverland, and his short film The Desert which was nominated for an AFI Award. Glendyn has produced multiple TV dramas such as Von Stauffenberg’s Stamp, Two Twisted, and Offspring. David currently has two films in production in America and Australia and is in pre-production for his television miniseries Beaconsfield.

Dr Christopher McNeill
Senior Lecturer
Department of Materials Engineering,
Monash University, Victoria, Australia

Bachelor of Science (Hons) and University Medal 2000
PhD 2005
Bachelor of Mathematics 1999

2011 FINALIST – YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD

Now working as a Research Associate in the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Chris conducts research to understand the operation of plastic solar cells, and the development and exploitation of synchrotron x-ray analysis for studying the microstructure of organic semiconductors.

His achievements and leadership in this field have been recognised with numerous fellowships, invitations to speak at international conferences and workshops, the chairing of a symposium on controlling and characterising the structure of organic semiconductor films in France.

Chris’ work in science recently featured in two x-ray facilities, The Advanced Light Source in California and the Swiss Light Source.

With 45 referred articles and slew of grants behind him, including the highly prestigious and competitive UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Advanced Research Fellowship, Chris was awarded a VESKI Innovation Fellowship by the Victorian Endowment for Knowledge, Science and Innovation.

Mr Jason Pauling
Operations Manager NSW and Southern Queensland
Bureau Veritas International Trade
Lake Macquarie, Australia

Master of Environmental and Business Management 2003
Grad Cert in Marketing 2002
Master HRM and IR 2001
MBA 2000
Bachelor of Science (Hons) 2001

2011 FINALIST – ALUMNI AWARD FOR REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

Jason has shown himself to be a dedicated champion for the Hunter Region. As a Director on the board of the Hunter Business Chamber, Jason has worked to ensure an increased representation by the various sub-regions within the Hunter. His role as a Director of Hunter Tourism sees him take a strong interest in the Upper Hunter, Newcastle Foreshore and tourism in the region.

As Chairperson of the Lake Macquarie Combined Chambers of Commerce, Jason provided leadership to the Charlestown business community. As President of Business Charlestown his guidance informed the construction phase of Charlestown Square, and through his role as President of the Lake Macquarie Business Club he has facilitated networking opportunities for small to medium businesses.

Impressively, these activities are in addition to his employment with Bureau Veritas International Trade Australia.

Professor Gang Wei
Director of China Engagement
Principal Research Scientist
CSIRO, New South Wales, Australia

PhD - Chemistry 1997

2011 FINALIST – ALUMNI AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP

In 2007, Professor Wei was awarded the Australian New Immigrant Remarkable Achievement Award by the Australian Federation of Chinese Organisations for services to science. Having developed extensive research collaborative links between the CSIRO, research institutes, national and international universities, Professor Wei played a key role in the establishment of the Australian China Nanoscience and Technology Centre and the CSIRO’s China Nanotechnology Strategy. After initiating discussions as to a possible collaboration, Professor Wei was able to play a lead role in the establishment of the China Alliance for New Energy Vehicle Innovation and the CSIRO Green Car Research China Strategy.

Professor Wei has published extensively and delivered more than 50 invited research lectures at international conferences, universities and research institutes. He is an advocate for the International Scientific Society and holds a large number of professorships, honorary titles and positions.

2010 Faculty of Science and Information Technology Achievers

Professor Fengming Zhang

Professor, Department of Physics, Nanjing University; Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Tianwei New Energy Holdings Co Ltd

PhD (Physics), 1996
Faculty of Science and Information Technology

Professor Fengming Zhang is the recipient of the 2010 Australia China Alumni Award for Research and Innovation and was a finalist for the 2010 Convocation Medal for Professional Excellence.

Professor Zhang is an active researcher in the field of nano-magnetism and solar energy.

In 2004, he was co- founder of China Sunergy. While he was Executive Director, China Sunergy took its place as a world class PV company, with a 2007 revenue exceeding AU $600 million. It also successfully listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange that year. He has trained a number of engineers, many of whom are now respected experts in the field. Joining Tianwei New Energy Holdings in December 2009, he led the technology and management team to significantly improve the solar cell product – increasing efficiency from 15.6% to 16.2%, considered the best in the industry, and equating to a net benefit of AUD $20 million.

In 2005, he was awarded Talent Cultivation Plan of the New Century by the Education Ministry of China and in 2008, one of the Top-ten talents for Achievement in Innovation and Enterprise Set-up awarded by the Nanjing Municipal Government.

Associate Professor Shuguang Wang

Associate Professor WANG Shuguang - Conjoint Professor
and Deputy Director, Centre for Cross Cultural Studies, Sichuan University and Centre for HIV Socio-Cultural Study, Institute of Sociology, Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences;

Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle, Australia / China

PhD, 1998
Faculty of Science and Information Technology

Associate Professor Shuguang Wang is the recipient of the 2010 Alumni Award for International Leadership.

Dr Wang is a leading socio-psychologist and internationally recognised researcher and policy adviser in the field of HIV/AIDS in China.

He has played a significant leadership role in maintaining positive international cooperation through undertaking over 30 bilateral and multilateral programs in HIV/AIDS prevention. Some of these include: Australia NHMRC Project (2001); Australia AFAO HIV Project (2005); AusAID and ARC Tibet HIV program (2007); UNICEF China project (2007-present); and Keats Research Fund Projects (University of Newcastle 2001-2010).

Most recently, Dr Wang has coordinated research on the psycho-cultural rehabilitation of ethnic Qiang children affected by the Sichuan Earthquake, supported by the Keats Research Fund and the China-Australia Centre for Cross Cultural Studies, and has implemented a local program to assist their recovery.

Associate Professor Zhou Yun

Director of International Cooperation, Chinese Research Academy of Social Science

Master of Environmental Studies, 2003
Faculty of Science and Information Technology

Associate Professor Zhou was a finalist for the 2010 Australia China AusAid Scholarships Alumni Award and a finalist for the 2010 Alumni Award for International Leadership.

Associate Professor Zhou has led various national programs and participated at international forums for the environment. Involved as a project director in a number of international environmental projects funded by; World Bank, ADB and AusAID, Canadian International Development Agency, Swedish International Development Agency, her interests are climate change and energy, environmental impact assessment, and promoting public participation in environmental protection.

She has been very active in Sino-Australian environmental cooperation, especially in the Australia-China Environment Development Program.