Alumni and friends

Dear alumni and friends

Writing the HoD column for an issue like this is always a pleasure. As the holiday season is approaching, we have also entered a season of celebrations.

First of all, it is with great pleasure that I have received the news of the promotion of Piaras Kelly and Andrew Taberner to Associate Professor – a well deserved recognition of their achievements in the department, and in Andrew's case the ABI.

On December 6 and 11 the department welcomed the winning teams of the NZNTES competition for morning tea and a tour of the facilities. Staff and students helped to promote EngSci and BME as attractive study options to these very bright students.

On 10 and 11 December, the Operational Research Society of New Zealand held its annual conference at Victoria University of Wellington. A highlight, as always, was the Young Practitioners Prize. Three of the four winners are Engineering Science students: Olga Perederieieva in the PhD category, Simon Bull in the masters section, and Emily Du in the undergraduate competition (jointly with Rosemary Read from Canterbury).

These awards seem to be the perfect end of another successful year for the department.

Finally, this is the last time I will be writing this, as my term as Head of Department is coming to an end. I am pleased to announce that you will next be hearing from the first female Head of Department in the history of this school of Engineering, Associate Professor Rosalind Archer.

I wish you all a happy holiday season and a relaxing break.

Professor Matthias Ehrgott
Head of Department