Strong partnerships between Auckland University of Technology and Indian educational institutes have seen AUT host two high-achieving students recently.
Preetham Reddy Kasarla, a 20-year-old Bachelor of Electronics and Electrical Engineering student from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, immersed himself in a distinctive research project at AUT. Hailing from Hyderabad, Telangana, his internship involved designing terahertz antennas on chip – a highly specialised area within electronics that involves creating extremely small, high-frequency antennas.
Under the mentorship of Professor Xuejun Li from AUT’s School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Preetham used advanced facilities and the Ansys HFSS (high-frequency structure simulator) software to explore antenna theory and design.
“I went to New Zealand and learned about antenna design and theory and how to design on HFSS,” he said. The project explored tackling unique challenges in manufacturing and efficiency due to the small size of terahertz antennas.
The opportunity for this internship arose after Preetham reached out to AUT Senior Lecturer Dr Ashwin Polishetty, who had visited BITS Pilani last year. “I saw a LinkedIn post about Dr Polishetty’s visit and sent him my resume, and he connected me with Professor Xuejun Li.”
Dr Polishetty said: “This was a unique opportunity to connect BITS Pilani and AUT through student internships and to confirm AUT’s commitment to collaborate with top-ranking universities in India for research and academic purposes.”
Preetham appreciated AUT’s support, which included covering accommodation and expenses. He said the labs at AUT were excellent, particularly for running simulations.
A few months later, Mintu Pal, a 27-year-old PhD student from IIT Madras, arrived at AUT to continue his research in additive manufacturing.
Originally from West Bengal and in the fifth semester of his PhD, Pal came to AUT as part of an evolving academic partnership with IIT Madras. His visit exemplified the international collaboration between the two institutions, paving the way for a formalized PhD course co-supervision program that is being implemented from 2025 by AUT.
Pal’s research addresses complex challenges in additive manufacturing, a field commonly known as 3D printing. “When we print any sample, its mechanical properties and microstructure differ significantly from those of conventionally manufactured materials,” he explains.
Focusing on a titanium alloy, Ti-6Al-4V, used extensively in aerospace, Pal investigates how tailored post-heat treatments can enhance the strength and durability of these materials. His research is significant given the industry’s ongoing struggle with material failures in high-stress environments. “I saw an opportunity to contribute something valuable in this field, not just for my country but potentially on a global scale,” he adds.
Professor Guy Littlefair, AUT’s Pro Vice-Chancellor International, says: “The ongoing strategic alliance between AUT and IIT Madras is shifting gears as we work together in supporting students to have international experiences which also draw on the respective expertise in our academic communities. Materials science is a strong element of the engineering activities at both institutions, and it is heartening and wonderful to see the success of this first in a series of exchanges we anticipate in the coming years.”
AUT hosts the largest cohort of Indian students in New Zealand. -TIN Bureau
Caption: Preetham Reddy Kasarla (left) and Mintu Pal at AUT
