To introduce myself, I’m a qualified engineer with ‘innovation’ as my middle name, because I always strive for innovative approaches in my day-to-day activities — and UNNC is a perfect environment to find myself in now, as there are abundant opportunities that allow the enhancement and transformation of my professional and personal competencies.
I completed my Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nottingham in Ningbo and earned my Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from Universitas Trisakti in Jakarta. Currently, I’m the head of the V-ROOM Lab at UNNC, where we focus on the research and development of immersive technologies such as virtual, augmented, and mixed reality.
From my very first day at UNNC, my journey has been incredibly rewarding. I started by joining UNNC as a Ph.D. student, drawn to this unique British-style higher education opportunity offered in China. After graduating from this study, in 2017, I rejoined UNNC as a staff member in the Centre for English Language Education (CELE).
As part of CELE, I teach the first-year science and engineering students the required STEM-based knowledge and practical skills for their degree programmes. This role is really important as we help the students to transition from the high school to the university education systems. It has not only made me realise my passion for teaching but also highlighted my strong commitment to the development of my students. Every day, to create a positive and an engaging learning environment, I am challenged to harness my creativity to implement innovative pedagogical approaches in my classes.
Over the years, I have been involved in leading several remarkable projects, those of which were funded by the UNNC Small Teaching and Learning Development Grant. One that I hold close to my heart focused on integrating live scientific demonstrations to explain abstract engineering concepts in the classroom, ultimately enhancing the overall student experience. In addition, I also proposed the V-ROOM initiative, which uses VR, AR, and MR technology to improve learning experiences through simulated virtual environments. This effort was crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcomes were outstanding as the project has since developed into a university-wide V-ROOM Laboratory, a research and development platform for UNNC stakeholders, supported by UNNC through funding from the Ningbo Education Bureau.
I was both surprised and grateful to have received recognitions from the University of Nottingham throughout my various leadership roles and initiatives. For example, I received the Lord Dearing Award for my individual teaching excellence (2019) and for the team contribution (2022) as part of the TLOC (Teaching and Learning Observation College). In addition, the V-ROOM Lab initiative (team) was also rewarded the Vice Chancellor’s Medal Award (2022) and the UNNC Innovation Award (2022). These awards are a great source of satisfaction as well as motivation for me to expand my contributions to wider society!
My impressions of Ningbo are highlighted by how I’m continually amazed by its lush greenery, cleanliness, and well-planned layout with smart city concepts. I also must mention that Ningbo is a very safe city to live in. Having been here for over 10 years now, it has allowed me to fully immerse myself in China’s diverse socio-cultural environment. For instance, I take part in cultural activities such as performing Yue Ju Shaoxing Opera and Beijing Opera on stage, which have left me with memorable and marvelous experiences. Besides, as someone who loves travelling, China is the place to be as there are so many wonderful destinations within easy reach from Ningbo. In summary, Ningbo has become my new home, and UNNC holds a special place in my heart.