Praneel Chand
Blacktown, NSW, Australia
Tel: – Mobile: Available on request email: praneelchand10@yahoo.co.nz
Citizenship: New Zealand, Fiji
Career Objective
I'm interested in being part of an innovative team that values diversity, inclusion, flexible work, and health and wellbeing. I'm a results oriented person and look forward to achieving positive outcomes for an organisation in a timely manner. I currently have the right to work in Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia.
My objective is contribute towards the development of innovative solutions to engineering problems related to the Asia Pacific region. Solutions which are elegant, optimise cost, use future technologies, are user friendly, and can sustain culture are highly preferred. My interests are in the design and development of electronic and computer systems for control, automation, mechatronics, and robotics. Most of my work experience has been as an engineering researcher/educator/trainer. In this role, I have mentored students and worked collaboratively on projects in robotics and mechatronics.
Attributes and Skills
I’m able to connect professionally with people utilising good communication skills. Being a focussed, self-disciplined, and consistent worker, I possess the ability to deliver outputs in a timely manner. I'm able to get along well with work colleagues, thus enhancing the work environment to achieve the goals of the organisation. Through clear and rational thinking, I quickly grasp/express new concepts and apply them to problem solving. A summary of my transferable skills is provided below:
· Strong numeracy and logical skills for reasoning
· Strong research and analytical skills for problem solving
· Strong information literacy skills for effective use of information
· Excellent computer and technology skills for computer/IT related tasks
· Lifelong learning skills for grasping new concepts and ideas
· Very good personal motivation and time management skills for completing tasks
· Very good communication and interpersonal skills for building positive relationships with people
· Leadership and team management skills
Areas of Expertise
Research & Development in Robotic and Mechatronic Systems
· Programming in C, C++, Matlab
· Vision systems (Computer/machine vision and machine learning)
· Testing, analysis & evaluation (qualitative and quantitative) – able to use Matlab, Microsoft Excel, or related tools for analysis
· Modelling & simulation of robotic systems
· Robot navigation control system design & implementation
· PLC programming – Schneider, Allen-Bradley, Omron
· Motion control
· Electric vehicle systems
Education and Qualifications
Victoria University of Wellington 2011
PhD Electronics and Computer Systems Engineering
· Thesis entitled “Development of an Artificial Intelligence System for the Instruction and Control of Cooperating Mobile Robots”, involved the design, implementation and evaluation of a multi-robot system for an exploration task.
· Received a Commonwealth PhD Scholarship funded by NZAID for study
· Best paper presentation award at the Electronics New Zealand Conference, 2005
The University of the South Pacific 2002
Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Technology
· Major course project entitled “PC/Microcontroller Based Drilling Machine: Interfacing board, clamping solenoid amplifier and feedback circuits”, involved the design, implementation and evaluation of the interfacing board and feedback circuits of an automatic drilling machine.
· Gold Medal and the Fiji Fish Company Prize for the outstanding student graduating in a Postgraduate Diploma programme
The University of the South Pacific 2000
Bachelor of Technology in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
· Major project entitled “Reconditioning of ASEA MHU Junior Robot”, involved the hardware repair, control system design and implementation using microcontroller and PLC for a robot pick and place task.
· Included a ten week attachment at the Management Information System unit of the Fiji Public Service Commission.
· Gold Medal and the Punja & Sons Prise for the outstanding student graduating with a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
· SPAS Gold Medal and the Orica (Fiji) Ltd Prize for the best graduating student in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences
Related Experience
Melbourne Institute of Technology - Sydney Campus (MIT), 2023 – present
Senior Lecturer
Experience: Leading and Contributing to Research and Development Projects Relating to Smart Automation and Control
· Vision-based robotic arm object handling/sorting. Using computer/machine vision and machine learning (ANNs, SVMs, and deep learning) for object detecton and recognition
Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec), 2019 – 2023
Senior Lecturer
Experience: Leading and Contributing to Research and Development Projects Relating to Automation and Control
· Vision-based robotic arm object handling/sorting. Using computer/machine vision and machine learning (ANNs, SVMs, and deep learning) for object detecton and recognition
· Mobile robot navigation, control, and applications
· Remote access and control of PLC automation lab equipment
· Development of a low-cost soil drying oven
· Development of a cost-effective customisable indoor air quality monitor
Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec), 2018 – 2019
Lecturer
Experience: Leading Research and Development Projects Relating to Automation and Control
· Refurbishing of FESTO modular production system units and integrating them with Allen-Bradley PLCs
Unitec Institute of Technology, 2016 – 2018
Lecturer
Experience: Leading Research and Development Projects relating to vehicle systems and transport
· Investigation into the feasibility of developing electric motorhomes
· Investigation into the suitability of using of small electric vehicles combined with public transport for work commuting
· Project leader for Volkswagen Kombi Van electric vehicle conversion project in collaboration with Genesis Energy
· Studying the occupancy of passenger vehicles during peak and off-peak travel times
The University of the South Pacific (USP), 2001 – 2016
Senior Lecturer in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Jan 2013 – Mar 2016 & Assistant Lecturer, Sept 2001 – Dec 2012
Experience: Involvement in Various Research and Development Projects
· Modelling and simulation of a customised automatic PC/microcontroller based drilling machine using Matlab and Simulink
· Design and development of an autonomous Solomon Islands robotic pan flute using Arduino mega and LabView
· Development of an improved navigation system for wheeled mobile robots using fuzzy logic and Matlab
· Modelling and simulation of a vehicle following system using Matlab and Simulink
· Matlab GUI control of an ASEA MHU robotic arm
· Development of object recognition algorithms for a Scorbot robotic arm
· Development of an object retrieval robot using VEX robotic set
University of Waikato (UoW) and Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), 2004-2011
Doctoral Researcher
Experience: - Development of an Artificial Intelligence System for the Instruction and Control of Cooperating Mobile Robots
· Installation of computer, data acquisition board, IR sensors and compass sensor on mobile robotic platforms
· Developed programming and calibration software for a digital compass using Visual C++
· Developed Matlab GUI program for controlling real mobile robots
· Developed Visual C++ GUI program for controlling real mobile robots
· Developed feedback control system for speed and position control
· Developed navigation system for point-to-point motion (reactive control and obstacle avoidance) of mobile robots
· Developed path planners for mobile robots
· Developed algorithms for controlling a team of robots
· Developed a Matlab GUI program to simulate the motion of teams of robots
· Testing, analysis and evaluation of independent subsystems and combined overall system.
Management Information System (MIS) Unit – Fiji Public Service Commission, 1999-2000
Work Attachment, Nov 1999 – Feb 2000
Experience:
· Repaired and maintained IBM compatible personal computers
· Installed operating system and application software
· Helped the network support staff in routine network tasks such as software installation and provided phone support for network users
Other Work Experience
Melbourne Institute of Technology - Sydney Campus (MIT), 2023 –
Senior Lecturer, Mar 2023 – present
· Provide academic leadership in designing, coordinating and teaching units in the networking and IT courses offered by the School of IT & Engineering (SITE).
· Assist in the coordination and management of these units.
Waikato Institute of Technology, 2019 – 2023
Senior Lecturer, Jul 2019 – Mar 2023
· Delivered course in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical Engineering & Mechanical Engineering)
· Delivered courses in the New Zealand Diploma of Engineering (Electrical Engineering & Mechanical Engineering)
· Research Leader for Centre of Engineering & Industrial Design
Wellington Institute of Technology, 2018 – 2019
Lecturer, Sep 2018 – Jul 2019
· Delivered course in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical Engineering & Mechanical Engineering)
· Delivered courses in the New Zealand Diploma of Engineering (Electrical Engineering & Mechanical Engineering)
Unitec Institute of Technology, 2016 – 2018
Lecturer, May 2016 – Aug 2018
· Delivered course in the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical/Electronics Engineering & Civil Engineering)
· Developed and delivered courses in the Bachelor of Applied Technology degree
· Delivered courses in the New Zealand Diploma of Engineering (Electrical Engineering & Civil Engineering)
The University of the South Pacific, 2001 – 2016
Senior Lecturer in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Jan 2013 – Mar 2016 & Assistant Lecturer, Sep 2001 – Dec 2012
· Coordinated and developed courses in electrical engineering
· Delivered courses in collaboration with other lecturers, teaching assistants, and technical staff
· Deputy Head of School Engineering and Physics Jun 2014 to May 2015
· Acting Programme Leader Electrical/Electronics Engineering May 2015 – Jun 2015
· Contributed to the development of a new Bachelor of Engineering degree programme in line with Engineering New Zealand (formerly IPENZ) requirements
The University of Waikato, 2005
Teaching Assistant, May 2005 – Jun 2005
· Developed and delivered the artificial intelligence component of the Mechatronics paper.
The Fiji Institute of Technology, 2001
Lecturer in Electronics (Light Current), Mar 2001 – Aug 2001
· Delivered the circuit analysis, analog electronics, digital electronics and workshop practice courses.
Fiji Bureau of Statistics, 1996
Census Enumerator, 26/08/1996 – 01/09/1996
· Visited households in the enumeration area and enumerated all persons. Returned filled enumeration forms to supervisor and carried out any necessary corrections.
Referees
Available on request