Innovation Award (2016)

Sasha Nikolic
University of Wollongong

Mark Lee
Charles Sturt University

Christian Ritz
University of Wollongong

Farzad Safaei
University of Wollongong

Tom Goldfinch
University of Wollongong

Wanqing Li
University of Wollongong

Catch this session

Tuesday  5 December, 12pm – 12.30pm
Stream 5
Room C204

Abstract

The aim of this project has been to use a novel immersive video collaboration technology to enhance the learning experience of transnational students, and to facilitate student interaction and engagement with their peers and with industry representatives. The goals are twofold: firstly, to afford offshore-enrolled students (those studying at overseas satellite campuses and partner institutions) equivalent learning experiences to locally enrolled students by emulating the essence of a single university campus environment, irrespective of their physical location; and secondly, to provide relevant and authentic learning opportunities for all students through real-time involvement of professionals and other subject-matter experts.

About the authors

Sasha Nikolic

Sasha Nikolic received the B.E. (telecommunications) in 2001 and PhD in Engineering Education in 2017 from the University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia. He spent several years in industry and then in 2006 commenced as Laboratory Manager, involved in improving and developing the teaching laboratories and sessional teaching staff with the University of Wollongong. In 2014, he became an Associate Lecturer in engineering education and in 2016 a Lecturer. Dr Nikolic became Chair of the NSW Chapter of the IEEE Education Society in 2014. He won a university Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning Award in 2011. In 2012, he was awarded a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning as part of the Australian Awards for University Teaching. In 2016, he also received awards for his contribution to engineering education through the IEEE, AAEE and ASCILITE.

Mark Lee

Mark J. W. Lee is an adjunct senior lecturer in education with Charles Sturt University and honorary senior research fellow in IT and engineering with Federation University Australia. His 70+ publications in educational technology, e-learning and innovation in tertiary teaching have been cited over 4,000 times, according to Google Scholar.

Christian Ritz

Christian Ritz is an Associate Professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering at the University of Wollongong. He is a member of the University’s Visual and Audio Signal Processing Lab and directs its anechoic recording and playback facility. His current research interests include speech and audio signal processing, acoustics as well as engineering education, particularly the integration of generic professional competencies into the curriculum and transnational learning experiences

Farzad Safaei

Farzad Safaei graduated from the University of Western Australia with the degree of Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics) and obtained his PhD in Telecommunications Engineering from Monash University, Australia. Currently, he is the Professor of Telecommunications Engineering at the University of Wollongong. Research interests include multimedia signal processing and communications technology
Tom Goldfinch
Tom Goldfinch is currently a Senior Lecturer in Engineering Education at the University of Sydney. His key research focus areas are engineering mechanics education, and the social and cultural aspects of engineering education and practice. He is President of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education.

Wanqing Li

Wanqing Li is an Associate Professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering and Deputy Director of the ICT Research Institute at the University of Wollongong. With over 30 years’ industrial and academic research experience, he has filed six patents and published over 100 refereed papers. His current interests are in human motion analysis, multimodal biometric cryptosystems, and automatic annotation and intelligent retrieval/adaptation of multimedia content.