This year’s Applidyne Engineering Design Internship has been awarded to Ferdinand Defregger.

Ferdinand is in his penultimate year of a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, majoring in Mechatronics, at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Fascinated by robotics from a young age, he came top in his class in both years that it was available. He also received the Hugh McDougall Rankin scholarship and Fraser Tonkin scholarship for outstanding achievement in the sciences and mathematics, and NZQA scholarships in Physics and Chemistry. When not studying or tutoring other university students, Ferdinand enjoys spending his time rock climbing, both indoors and outdoors. A few months ago he discovered a passion for repairing cars, and has already removed the engine and transmission from a donor car, with plans to swap the automatic transmission into his current car. Ferdinand is pictured with his team’s entry for the annual “Robocup” competition, of which he designed, manufactured and assembled nearly all the mechanical components. The purpose of the robot is to autonmously avoid obstacles while  collecting more target weights than the opposing robot in a set time frame.

Ferdinand joined Applidyne on November 21st and will undertake a work experience placement over the December – February period of their University Holidays.

The internship which is open to all Australian and New Zealand students was highly competitive again this year. Over 350 applicants from Australia and New Zealand applied for this year’s internship. After marking of the tests 20 candidates were shortlisted with the winner being selected from this group of candidates.

We again thank all applicants for their interest in the internship and encourage those shortlisted to apply for graduate positions on completion of their degree.