SPPEEx UP & COMING: Rossier Kaufusi
SPPEEx UP & COMING: Rossier Kaufusi
SPPEEx caught up with talented Tongan national Rossier Kaufusi to find out what attracted him to Engineering. Here's the details of that inteview:
Ok so a bit of background about myself, I was born in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, moved to NZ when I was little. I attended Stanhope Road School (Mt Wellington) where I was a house captain, then went to Auckland Boys Grammar where I was involved in their Swimming team, Athletics team, Volleyball, Rugby and the Tongan group (3rd form to 7th form). In my last year I was fortunate enough to be named as one of the Head Prefects, as well as captain of my rugby team and Tongan Leader. Currently, I am at The University of Auckland completing my final year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) specialising in Civil and Environmental. I was a swimming coach but had to stop because of the work load, however I'm still playing rugby (for College Rifles and the Engineering Eagles).I am a SPIES member actively involved in promoting engineering to high school students.
Current projects: I am currently doing a research project on identifying whether a construction contract can assist in delivering a project successfully. Other projects that I have been involved this semester have been: I was involved in a large multidisciplinary scale engineering project called “Systems Thinking”. We were given a week to provide not only the people of Christchurch but the whole of NZ a proposed solution to the reconstruction of Christchurch and ensuring the Stakeholders requirements were meet. Just recently, I finished a Crash Analysis project. Where I had to select a location (Intersection of Boundary Road and Israel Ave) and propose options to improve road safety and efficiency.
Why I opted to study engineering? From a young age I've always enjoyed Science and Maths. But the main reason why I chose to pursue a career in engineering was that to me engineering is about serving society. Engineers are there to help build a more sustainable environment for our future. So to me studying engineering was the best way to give back to the community. Also on the plus side engineering is one of the few specialisations that you can use to travel around the world with and I love to travel.
Future aspirations I want to become a Chartered and International Professional Engineer (in the next 15 years) and also I want to go back to Tonga and help build a more sustainable environment.
Some advice for students studying engineering The advice I would give to students studying engineering is “BTB - Better Than Before”. Which to me means in a nutshell never give up, always adapt and find ways to improve yourself as an engineer and a person. Whether it would be your grades, communication skills, writing skills, sport skills, whatever; as long as you keep taking one step at a time and moving forward you will achieve your goal.