CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY - AUSTRALIA YEARBOOK 2020
YEARBOOK TEAM Editors Merika De La Peña Xiaohui Chen Namika Makhija Alisha S Brittany Pruitt Darwin Soneja Student Contributors Yan (Yvaine) Pan Yingxin (Neeko) Liang Himanshu Arora Rachel Bukowitz Lashya Purohit Rakshanda Rajput Adviser Anneliese Elmendorp It all started with the final presentation for the Strategic The plan was to create two different products – a magazine and Presentation Skills course in Semester 1. I was presenting a a yearbook. Unfortunately, as we all know, due to COVID-19 proposal for starting a CMU-A Magazine. We have always had the things changed - and so did our plan. We decided we will focus yearbook but I thought we could do so much more creative things our efforts on only one product, the yearbook, and make it more through a different medium. As luck would have it, Prof. Danu was fun. With CMU’s coursework, the internship hunt, and an ongoing sitting in the audience listening to our presentations. After the pandemic, it was a challenge to put this together. But our team class, I bumped into Prof Danu in the hallway and he said, “Were persisted and held meetings over Zoom. The end-product is now you serious about starting a CMU-A magazine? If yes, you have my in your hands (or maybe on your screen!). Hope you enjoy it and support.” So along with my friend Brittany Pruitt, I decided to reminisce about the time spent at CMU-Australia! pursue the magazine project in the second semester. We were joined by our wonderful teammates - Namika Makhija, Merika De Alisha La Pena, Darwin Soneja and Xiaohui Chen - who enhanced this Editor yearbook with their ideas. We were guided by the lovely Anneliese Elmendorp, who coordinated with the staff and printers on our behalf.
Message from the Head of CMU-A Dear CMU-A graduates, You have successfully completed a rigorous program in which the last phase was in the midst of a pandemic. In this period of unprecedented upheaval, you have demonstrated resilience, grit and tenacity in the face of severe challenges. Honing and harnessing these traits will be critical to your effectiveness and productivity in the career you will pursue after graduation. The world you will enter after graduation is evidently not the same world as when you started your program. It is a world engulfed in intense and immense transformation. The pandemic is creating crises beyond global public health, spilling over into the economy, politics, and society, with uncertain reverberations to come. The enormous problems we face also present enormous opportunities to contribute and apply the knowledge and skills you have learned. Of all the virtues that will be demanded of you as a CMU-A graduate in the near future, the most important will be that of courage. For only with courage will your knowledge and skills be converted into intelligent and impactful action. I therefore wish you the utmost courage and confidence in the degree that you hold as you venture into a brave new world ahead. Emil Bolongaita Head, CMU-A and Distinguished Service Professor
Message from Dean Krishnan Congratulations to all CMU-A graduates. You have shown remarkable resolve in completing your master’s degrees during such a challenging time, and we celebrate your accomplishments. Each of you passed the test and are now alumni of one of the world’s great academic institutions. Problem solvers like you have the opportunity to make an enormous difference in society by understanding how to leverage technology and data, embracing interdisciplinary inquiry, and creating human-centered innovation. The problems we face will not be solved by siloed thinking or traditional means. They will be solved with ingenuity born of collaboration—they will be solved by people like you. Take care of one another. We believe in you, we are proud of you, and wish you the very best. Ramayya Krishnan Dean, Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy Carnegie Mellon University
Message from the Deputy Head of CMU-A Dear Students, Congratulations on your graduation! At CMU-A, we strive for excellence and to build the foundation on which graduates can succeed. The success of our graduates is the biggest source of our strength – a reassurance and reaffirmation that we remain relevant to play an important part in solving institutional and societal problems. Your time at CMU-A may have been challenging – having overcome this is a sign of your growth. It has been a pleasure teaching you, supporting your academic success, facilitating outside classroom activities that can support your career success, and participating in student-led social activities. You are entering a different world to that you came from – it is one of more uncertainty and steeped with challenges. However, venture out with confidence and ambition. Certainly, you are amongst the lucky ones – you have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Remember International Project Management, Program Evaluation Under Constraints and Applied Economic Analysis – it is your ability to apply that knowledge that is important. Remember Piranhas’ Feast – as you strive for success, be hungry to solve difficult problems and continue to sharpen your mind. It is that hunger that will make you special. Remember Red Ladders – as you take steps along your career ladder, remember the foundation that was created when you were here. I look forward to encouraging you along the way and inviting you back to campus to share your success with future students. Remember Four Periscopes – as you venture into different organisations and parts of the world, see things in different perspectives, through different lenses. Knowing the world through different eyes will help you build bridges of collaboration. Remember The Futures Labs – experiment with ideas and bring them into fruition by working innovatively with others. The future can be partly created through your action. Remember CMU-A – venture forth with confidence, zeal and ambition. Congratulations once again! With best wishes, Danura Miriyagalla Deputy Head and Professor of the Practice
Leading from the top Dear 2020 Carnegie Mellon University Adelaide Graduates, Life this semester has been weird, and weird on a global level. As you launch your career in uncertain times there are pockets of certainty. There is an acute need for evidence-based, and analytically-sound decision making. This is where you can shine. This is where you have been trained to apply critical thinking and rigor to messy, real-world problems. CMU Heinz College graduates distinguish themselves in understanding a problem or opportunity from a systemic perspective, with the ability to employ creativity, objectivity, and humanity in addressing societal and organizational issues. These skills that you bring are in demand now, more than ever, as we reflect on this global event and begin to shape our new normal. Jackie and I congratulate you on your achievements. We implore you in these uncertain times to be part of the solution. To apply the tools and methods you possess to be men and women of intelligent and ethical action. Bon Voyage! Jackie Speedy, Associate Dean of Public Policy & Management Andy Wasser, Associate Dean of Information Systems & Management
FACULTY AND STAFF Students are the heart of everything I do by Nereshnee Shunmugam My ten-year experience in the university has been a very fulfilling one so far. I commenced my employment at the university in December 2009 as the Administrative Officer. I progressed to many roles since then, such as Program Officer, Student Services Coordinator and Manager of Student Services. I am currently the Manager of Admissions and Alumni Relations, a role I am really enjoying. I have progressively adapted and learned a lot from the fluctuating demands of my roles. I enjoy working with students, faculty and staff of diverse cultures. I have faced challenges, however, the majority of the time I enjoyed upholding the active, balanced and beneficial learning and living environment for the students. My most enjoyable moments were creating and administering the variety of events that met the needs of students. I have made lots of friends worldwide and continue to maintain a friendship with all the students. I have learnt to be a good listener, have empathy and not be judgmental. Students are the heart of everything I do in the university. My colleagues and I will continue to support students positively and help them progress with their studies on campus. As per Mark Twain, “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” So, students enjoy your studies, make the most in life and share and enjoy your experiences together.
FACULTY AND STAFF CMU in Adelaide: a personal reflection by Professor Tim O'Loughlin I started teaching at CMU-A in 2012, six years after the university was created. I had decided to make teaching the final working role in my life 35 years after I had made it my first as a tutor. In between, I had spent some wonderful years working in the private and public sectors. Returning to university life, I was filled with the pre-conceptions formed all of those years ago working at the University of Melbourne, one of Australia’s great public universities. CMU opened up a new paradigm of university experiences. It took some time for me to get my mind around the power of the association between the study of public policy and of information technology. The university’s global perspective was also an eye-opener. Even more foreign was the level of commitment required of, and eagerly offered by the students. It was only after beginning to understand these things that I realised the true significance of the establishment of CMU’s campus in Adelaide. There were the complexities of gaining accreditation for the degrees in two countries; amending Australia’s university legislation to accommodate a private university; adapting to Australia’s visa requirements; getting residency for students looking to make their futures in Australia; reaching out into the community for internships and projects; and creating a unique reputation from scratch. Why go to all of this trouble or a relatively small campus specialising in just two disciplines? It seems to me that the answer goes beyond even the achievements of CMU-A itself. I think the instigators from Australia – former Foreign Affairs, Minister Alexander Downer and former Premier, Mike Rann – had a vision of an elite university presence that would act as a disruptor, providing Adelaide higher education with serious diversity and setting new benchmarks. CMU-A has succeeded on all of these counts. Other universities from overseas established campuses here but fell by the wayside. CMU-A was the first and remains the only one still in place long after government support has ended. It is a tribute to the local faculty and staff; the students that have gone through here and are still part of the family; and the support provided by the parent university which has always struck me as determined to see us succeed. But the most important element for me is just how jealously CMU regards its reputation. This underpins all that we do. For me, our defining point of difference is the pervasive sense of us all being custodians of that reputation. It is not a burden but a privilege.
FACULTY AND STAFF Presenting with flair by Professor Marilyin Bodycoat It is always challenging to turn students into proficient, persuasive speakers and to have only six weeks to do it! Most students have never done any voice training before they work with me. It can be a bit overwhelming and embarrassing for them to start with, but very soon they start to see the many benefits of developing their voice and communication skills. Public Speaking is acknowledged as one of the greatest fears in life, and for students at this time of their lives to overcome that fear is rewarding and life changing. I am always inspired by how students take on the voice and presentation tasks and how enthusiastically they work. I want to thank and congratulate all those students who took my guidance and direction so well and worked to achieve very good results. I hope in the future you continue to have the confidence to speak publicly.
FACULTY AND STAFF Discovering design thinking by Professor Stuart Austin I’ve discovered some clues in my career which can help you start to use design thinking in yours. Let me share them with you. I’m really excited to think that you will follow this path. Clue #1: Understanding human behaviour and showing empathy are key ingredients in design thinking. This learning can be found in all kinds of areas, which don’t have to be formal study. For example, I started deep research into psychology, human behaviour and counselling as I dealt with my own mental health, and this was invaluable. Use whatever experiences you can to deepen your understanding of human behaviour. Learn through your own mental health journey, observe people when you decide to volunteer for a cause, research human behaviour or do formal study in psychology or counselling. Learning how to listen, understand and guide people is extremely valuable when it comes to human-centered problem solving. Clue #2: Fields such as art, science, philosophy and human behaviour are powerful when combined. Magic lives in the spaces between them. I realised I was happiest when I was working somewhere between art, science, philosophy and human behaviour, and there are many people like this in the world such as architects, industrial designers or interaction designers for example. If you want to supercharge your development as a design thinker, you may even want to study some type of design. I studied in a number of different fields including engineering, religious study, design and computer science. At the time I wasn’t entirely sure where I was headed, but these all formed what I now do. Be willing to explore multiple fields, and follow your interests and passions. Get experience in these, formally or not, and don’t be afraid if the fields seem to be incompatible. Start tinkering, inventing, and being creative. Try to start taking risks, because you'll learn what works and what doesn’t. ‘Learning the hard way’ will accelerate your pace of development. Clue #3: Complex problem solving lends itself to design thinking. If you like complex problems, whatever field you’re in, you’ll find design thinking fits right in. Look for problems with human involvement and focus on solving these. For example, if you’re interested in digital technology and IT, you may want to consider user interface design and user experience. Or, if you’re in something like policy development, figure out how to get on the ground and understand the needs of the people for whom the policy is created. The logic can be applied to any field; combine technical prowess with human centered problem solving and you’ll be on your way. Clue #4: You can learn a lot from delivering a service as a sole trader. This will teach you to manage clients and set expectations, as well as set your own boundaries. These principals are critical when it comes to design thinking, especially for powerful clients who have difficult problems to solve or politically charged environments. You need thick skin as a design thinker, because you’ll often be at the pointy end of a problem and taking all the heat. Be aware that you may not be popular (as a ‘problem solver’) in politically charged environments with frustrated people who have ‘failed’ in the past. Clue #5: Practice. The more projects you work on, focusing on real human needs, the better you’ll get at using design thinking. It sounds obvious, but don’t expect mastery straight away. I really started to hone my design thinking approach through hundreds of projects, from startups to Deloitte to agency work to my own consulting and through our flower business. This was over a good eight years, and continues to this day. I was using my skills to solve problems that other people couldn’t, and one common factor was the lack of human-centered design. Here’s an example: a client had invested 4.5 million for an Oracle system (enterprise level technology) to provide a ‘member portal’ for their customers. Using a ‘technology first’ approach, they hadn’t engaged their customers once (amongst other issues). The entire solution was unusable and written off. When we came onboard, most of my team’s work was getting the organisation to agree on feasible requirements based on customer needs, and then designing a solution.
FACULTY AND STAFF Clue #6 : Research design thinking. Take courses. Read up on how people have used it. There is so much content, but this wasn’t always the case. Do this research while you’re working on projects, so you can put concepts into practice as you go. Theory by itself is useless, you have to practice. The field is enormous, as are the ways it can be applied, and I learnt much of what I use now on the job. If you can shadow an experienced professional and work in a master-apprentice type way, this will greatly accelerate your progress. Clue 7# : As a design thinker, expect to work across disciplines. What you’ll need to watch is trying to solve too many problems at once. Often the problem a client thinks they have is not actually the root cause, but you may find yourself in hot water once you start digging….. To date, I’ve worked primarily as an interaction designer and product lead, but I’ve also been immersed in business design, service design, operational processes and organisational structure. A ‘design thinking’ type problem will always cross multiple disciplines and departments, and one must be prepared to cross these boundaries. If you just want to have a narrow focus in your career, such as a very niche field, design thinking may not be right for you. One needs an open, adaptable and explorative mind. The transition into using ‘design thinking’ is completely doable and within reach of anyone. You don’t have to be a designer, but this can help. Design thinking concepts are gaining traction in schools, universities and workplaces. It’s becoming easier to practice and more organisations are seeing the benefit. I had a positive conversation with the principal of an Adelaide private school in late March 2020; he wants to bring design thinking into his school at the level of literacy and numeracy. This is a paradigm shift in the nature of education which excites me greatly! Imagine literacy, numeracy and (design thinking) problem solving being given the same emphasis in primary school and right through to tertiary education. I really do look forward to seeing you pursue this way of thinking and doing. The world needs it.
FACULTY JAMIE ARMFIELD STUART AUSTIN MARILYN BODYCOAT EMIL BOLONGAITA Adjunt Faculty Adjunt Faculty Adjunt Faculty Head, CMU-A and Distinguished Service Professor GEORGE CHEN GARY EDWARDS RIAZ ESMAILZADEH JAMES GAETJENS Assistant Professor Adjunt Faculty Teaching Professor, Management Adjunct Faculty of Information Systems of Information and Technology ADAM GRAYCAR DAVID GRIGGS KRISTEN KURLAND TIONG KIONG LIM Adjunt Faculty Adjunt Faculty Teaching Professor of Architecture, Teaching Professor, Info. Systems and Public Policy Finance and Public Policy
FACULTY PENNY MCCANN JAN MCCONCHIE DANURA MIRIYAGALLA TIMOTHY O'LOUGHLIN Adjunt Faculty Adjunt Faculty Deputy Head, Professor of the Professor of Practice Practice Public Policy STEPHEN SCHMID JANUSZ SZCZYPULA WILLIAM TAN MURLI VISWANATHAN Adjunt Faculty Teaching Professor of Agile and Project Management Associate Teaching Professor Information and Decision Systems Coach, Trainer and Consultant of Information Technology HASAN YASAR ZBIGNIEW ZDZIARSKI Adjunt Faculty Researcher and Developer in Artificial Intelligence
PROFESSIONAL STAFF LOURDES ALMEDA ED BARLOW ANGELO BELTRAN ROSANNA CAPPELLUTI Manager of Graduate Programs Manager of Executive Education Digital Marketing Officer Accounts Specialist RAJIV CHADDA CELINE DANG SARAH DING ANNELIESE ELMENDORP Manager for Student Recruitment Manager of Marketing Account Specialist Student Services Coordinator and Communications MARK HAMON ALISON JOBLING SAMUEL KLUPPELS CELESTE LUSTOSA Senior Information Executive Assistant to ED Internship and Career Communications Specialist Systems Specialist Services Advisor
PROFESSIONAL STAFF CHRISTINE MCLEOD KATHRYN MITCHELL BEN OLIJNYK FATIMA REYES-DELLA VERDE Assistant Accountant External Affairs Advisor Director of ICT Director of Operations NERESHNEE PIXIE YEAP GARY ZENG CAROL ZHANG SHUNMUGAM Director of Programs Information Systems Technician Accounting Manager Manager of Admissions
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? HIMANSHU LUCIA NITISH ARORA AVELLANEDA BAJAJ MISM (Global) MSPPM MSIT - BIDA Fall 2019 Fall 2018 Fall 2018 SRAVANI RACHEL KECHENG (JASON) BASWARAJ BUKOWITZ CAO MISM (Global) MSPPM (Global) MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 \"It's 2020. The world is ending and I am smiling. Yes, I am a CMU graduate.\"
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? KATY CHUNLIN YIFAN (LANSING) CHANG CHEN CHEN MISM (Global) MSIT MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 HAO XIAOHUI JITENDRA SINGH CHEN CHEN CHOUHAN MISM (Global) MSPPM MSPPM Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? JARED MERIKA JOANNA LEI DE LA CRUZ DE LA PEÑA DING MSIT MSPPM - DTA MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2018 Fall 2019 \"Finish the good fight. Finish the race. Keep the faith.\" SHADI ITURIEL ENRIQUE PETER JOHN EMRAN FLORES ESTRADA FRANCISCO MSPPM MSIT - BIDA MSIT - INFOSEC Fall 2016 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 “Life is the dancer, \"Never stop dreaming. \"Believe.\" and you are the dance” It is free.\"
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? SIMEONE TAKUYA SHAN FREEMAN FUNAHASHI GAO MSIT - BIDA MSIT MSIT Fall 2018 Fall 2019 Spring 2019 MARIKRIS FLORENZ AASHI ROOPANSH GARCIA GUPTA GUPTA MSPPM MISM (Global) MSIT Fall 2019 Fall 2018 Fall 2019 \"Shine bright like a diamond.\" \"Man, this was tough. I've already forgotten everything. :( \"
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? MICHAEL YUAN HANXU (WEBSTER) GUY HE HU MSPPM MISM (Global) MISM (Global) Fall 2016 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 JIRU CHENLU YITING (JANET) HUANG JIANG JIANG MISM (Global) MISM (Global) MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? RAHUL MOHAMMED Y TAWINA JANE JINDAL SAFIRULLA KOPA-KAMANGA KARAMATHULLA MSIT - BIDA MSPPM MSPPM - DTA Fall 2019 Fall 2018 Fall 2019 \"I believe determination is more powerful than poverty.\" TAN TAN (ZOE) YUOU WENYE (HEATHER) KWAN LEI LI MISM (Global) MISM (Global) MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? HANYING YINGXIN (NEEKO) SHIYI (SHERRY) LI LIANG LIU MISM (Global) MISM (Global) MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 \"If I rest, I rust.\" LIQING (OLIVIA) WENBO TIANNIU (TINO) LIU LIU LYU MISM (Global) MISM (Global) MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? BINGLU NAMIKA AYUSH MA MAKHIJA MALIK MISM (Global) MSIM (Global) MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 \"Here is to forever dancing to the tunes of my dreams. \" SUHAS TATIANA DANIELA NATALIE XIANG SHANKARRAO MARGULIES MASTERSHIFU MAPARI MSIT - BIDA MSIT MSPPM Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 “It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you are not.” - Denis Waitley
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? NIKITHA JIAOYING (JOY) YUKI MOHAN MU MURAYAMA MISM (Global) MISM (Global) MSIT Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 SARITA SUNIL YUNZHOU KATE DIANE NARKE NING ORTEGA MSPPM - DTA MISM (Global) MSPPM - DTA Fall 2018 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 \"Begin with the end in mind.\" -Stephen Covey
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? HSUAN JENNIFER FLORENCE OUYANG PACATANG PAN MSIT MSIT MISM (Global) Fall 2018 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 YAN (YVAINE) MATIAS BRITTANY PAN PERALTA RAMOS PRUITT MISM (Global) MSIT - BIDA MSPPM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? LAKSHYA RAKSHANDA LEOPOLDO PUROHIT RAJPUT RAMIREZ MSIT MISM (Global) MSIT Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2017 \"It is in this life!\" SHARON MARIA ROSARIO MATTHEW ALBERT REN RUTILO SAUNDERS MISM (Global) MSPPM MSPPM - DTA Fall 2017 Fall 2019 Fall 2018 “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” - Mahatma Gandhi
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? MURLIDHAR ALISHA S GEYUE SHARMA SHI MISM (Global) MISM (Global) Fall 2019 MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 WENDY YVETTE DARWIN JOHN SHYU SOLAS SONEJA MISM (Global) MSPPM MSPPM - DTA Fall 2019 Fall 2018 Fall 2019 \"Cheers!\" \"Pour yourself a cup of ambition\"
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? ZEHUA (ZOE) A.A. NOVA GAO-MING SUN SWANDANA TANG MISM (Global) MSPPM MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2018 我愛喝珍奶 GAUTHAM KUMAR SHANYUE LEI VEDAM WAN WANG MISM (Global) MISM (Global) MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 \"At CMU, my heart is truly in the work. Not that they gave me an option.\"
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? TIANYI SHENG SHENGYI WANG XU YAN MISM (Global) MIST MISM (Global) Fall 2018 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 \"You only live once\" YUFAN (OSCAR) XIZHI (HAZEL) JIAYUE YAN YANG YANG MISM (Global) MISM (Global) MIST - BIDA Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2018
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? JUN ZIMO MASAHIRO YANG YANG YOSHIZAKI MISM (Global) MISM (Global) MSPPM Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 SHAOQING (PETER) JIAYUAN (CLAIRE) XI (AMELIA) ZHANG ZHANG ZHANG MISM (Global) MISM (Global) MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? MARCUS PUXING (FRANK) XINRUI (PSYCHE) ZHANG ZHANG ZHENG MISM (Global) MISM (Global) MISM (Global) Fall 2019 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 XU (ROY) XUWU KRIST ZI-KAI ZHENG ZHOU ZHU MISM (Global) MSIT - BIDA MISM (Global) Fall 2018 Fall 2019 Fall 2019 \"No matter how high the mountain is, one can always ascend to its top.\"
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? AMAN AGARWAL MD ZAIDUL ALAM MSIT MSIT Fall 2018 Fall 2017 GIN SEE CHUAH JIANPING (ALVIS) DENG MSPPM MSIT - BIDA Fall 2018 Fall 2019 TONY DAVID ELSON PETRA GABRIELA MSPPM MSIT Fall 2016 Fall 2019 LIYUAN (GAVIN) GU SUSAN RHIANNA HEINRICH MISM (Global) MSPPM Fall 2019 Fall 2018 RUIXIN HUANG YUYAO HUANG MSIT MSIT - BIDA Fall 2018 Fall 2017 YAOHAN JIANG ZHAOWEN LI MSIT MSIT Fall 2018 Fall 2018 ZICHEN LI NING MA MSIT MSPPM - DTA Fall 2018 Spring 2019 AGNIESZKA MALKOWSKA MENG YU MSPPM - DTA MSIT Spring 2016 Fall 2018
CLASS OF 2020 WHO'S WHO? PENG BO PENG SIJIA MSIT MSIT Fall 2018 Fall 2018 JESSICA DAWN NEWPORT KANA THORPE MSPPM MSPPM Spring 2017 Fall 2016 MENGYUE (MEG) WU SHIN-YU WU MSIT - BIDA MSIT Fall 2018 Fall 2018 SHAN (KATE) XIAO YITIAN (TONY) XUE MSIT MSIT Fall 2018 Fall 2018 KUN YU DANLI ZHAO MSIT MSIT Fall 2018 Fall 2018 JIANING ZHAO YUENING ZHAO MSIT MSIT Fall 2018 Fall 2018 ZIHAN ZHAO HANG ZHAO MSIT MSIT - BIDA Fall 2018 Fall 2017 JINZHAO ZHAO MSIT Fall 2018
HUMANS OF CMU-A Embrace Studying in CMU- THE BEST THING something new, A gives me a ABOUT CMU-A IS try something totally new new, enjoy experience which THE HUGE CAMPUS. I MEAN something new. I have never LOOK AT THE Jun Yang imagined. I am so CITY OF lucky to know so ADELAIDE Time flies by in many amazing Murlidhar Sharma the yellow and friends from green. Stick different around and you'll countries. They see what I mean. are so talented Lakshya Purohit and friendly. Xuwen Ren
ALUMNI INTERVIEW EDGAR ANZALDÚA MS IT CLASS OF 2011 HEAD OF UX AND DESIGN, CANON AUSTRALIA Can you tell us a bit about your CMU-A journey? What was the best part about your CMU-A experience? Coming to CMU was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life, although it was my plan B. During the global financial crisis I was working for Nortel Networks and Learning what I was capable of – Scoring an actively interviewing at Google in the longest interview process I’ve been through A+ in an independent study with Riaz, getting (14 interviews during the course of a year an a half). Nortel went bankrupt and since it published and talking about it in a I was interviewing at Google I didn’t think I would apply to any other jobs, so I conference where I was the only MSc. Among started working on my plan B, which was studying a master degree in Australia PHDs. (always wanted to come since my friends came as part of an exchange programme Also, I met 3 of my very best friends for life! 8 years before) so I applied to University of New South Wales and University of So people were perhaps the greatest aspect Technology Sydney along with a Mexican national scholarship. I got the thumbs up about CMU. from Google to come work with them, and I didn’t get the scholarship in Mexico, which worked for me since I really wanted to work there, but at the end, a Can you recollect any fun anecdote that procedural mishap left the recruitment process at Google truncated, and they happened during your time here? couldn’t hire me. So I called an Australian Education office in Mexico, I told them the whole story and they told me about CMU the last day they were open for Everything was fun. Spending sleepless nights enrolment. I got in... and the rest is history! trying to finish or make the projects work. Going through that with your mates bonded you in a special way. What tips would you like to give to the current students? Talk to people as a professional, not like a student. Tell your potential employers how you’re going to solve problems for them, don’t ask them if they could get you an internship so that you can tick the box. I got mine through talking to people about a subject I was really passionate about, and I did it without even knowing. What are the things you learnt from your time at CMU-A that have helped you in your career? People matter. Communication skills matter.
ALUMNI INTERVIEW IGNACIO (NACHO) BOSCH MS PPM CLASS OF 2019 MARKETING & SOCIAL IMPACT CONSULTANT KUDOS SERVICES (PART-TIME) | NOVA SMART SOLUTIONS (SELF-EMPLOYED) Can you tell us a bit about your CMU-A journey? Any advice for current students? During the years while building my professional career, I've worked simultaneously and Enjoy and take separately, both in the private and non-profit sectors. Around 2015/16, I discovered my advantage of all the career purpose was to integrate both, by working for the development of businesses & wide range of enterprises with social impact together with providing for-purpose organisations with opportunities that CMU- management and marketing capabilities. Together with this, my wife and life-partner, A and Adelaide have to we were keen to engage ourselves on an international adventure, to leave for the first offer. time our home-city and embark in a priceless experience of starting from scratch, in a It's a privilege only some new city, getting to know amazing people, locals and from all around the globe. Within of us have, so make good this journey, I got in contact with a CMUA Alumni, who shared with me his experience use of it. at CMUA. Coming to Adelaide to study at CMUA ticked all the boxes! And it was a much needed pivot for my new career direction as well. I was able to explore complementary academic formation and develop key skills in the Social Policy arena. What was the best part about your CMU-A experience? I think in one word it would be 'multiple': Multiple academic challenges, enjoying my time going 'back to the books', and pushing myself to learn as much as I could from the curricular content. Multiple cultures, which made my CMUA experience so good. Multiple interests, outside the classroom itself. Being out of a 9-to-5 job enabled me to explore so many interesting activities around Adelaide. I was a Study Adelaide International Ambassador, attended Expos, traveled around SA and Australia, among others. Can you recollect any fun anecdote that happened during your time here? I think receiving a one-dollar bill from T.K. to celebrate the Chinese year, is a whole anecdote in itself. And juggling a soccer ball with our heads, with my mate Javier Echegaray, during International Night, representing Argentina's football culture. There is nothing as far away from reality than what we did, poor performance, but we were wearing Argentina's national team jersey at least. What tips would you like to give to the students on landing an internship/job? My main tip would be to start planning for internship after your first semester in Adelaide. Once you settle in, self-reflect on what you are looking for in your career, and start networking with that industry/sector in Adelaide. See what events are being held, connect with people, 'scan' the play-field, so when the time to look for an internship comes, you already have a game plan to follow. What are the things you learnt from your time at CMU-A that have helped you in your career? Ufff, so many things. Yet, I think 'diversity' is a key lesson from my CMUA experience....diverse cultures, diverse ways of thinking, diverse solutions to the same problem.
HUMANS OF CMU-A In the 525600 Minutes square(lawn) we in CMU - A I REALLY dance, and in the In daylights and in ENJOYED THE CLASSROOM square we cried. sunsets, SESSIONS AFTER 25 YEARS AGAIN. Rakshanda Rajput In midnights, I AM PASSIONATE In cups of coffee, ABOUT LEARNING NEW I don't think that In inches, in miles SKILLS AND lack of sleep and In laughter and GAINING hard-work is in strife KNOWLEDGE. enough. I think Xi Zhang (Amelia) Suhas Mapari you also have to truly believe. Zoe Kwan Kwan
STUDENT EXPERIENCES Leaders of the Pack: Student Representative Committee by Himanshu Arora, SRC Vice President Only a few get the opportunity to lead a team with people from all across the world and collaborate with them to work in the will of the entire student community at CMU - A; luckily, I was one of them. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the peers who believed in my vision and came out in support of electing me to the Student Representative Committee (SRC). Over the whole academic year, SRC has learned to share its time and passion with the student community. We at the SRC have always aimed to bridge the gap between students and the senior authorities in CMU-A. For the past academic year, we have also hosted multiple successful events for the students to break out from the mundane school work and feast on pizzas and subs with friends. In the voice of the SRC, I believe that it is all about learning new experiences, understanding the student community, taking their feedback and effectively working on that. Our involvement with our peers, we believe has created a small place in the hearts of our students and encouraged them to believe in the goodness that the committee can deliver. The academic term 2019-20 disguised in itself a series of unprecedented challenges. The recent outbreak of Coronavirus is one such instance. The authorities at CMU-A took appropriate steps in transforming the entire system to conduct classes online following all the precautionary measures. We at the SRC strove to help the student community cope with this change, helping us emerge stronger amidst these testing times. 2019-2020 Committee Members: Front row, left to right: Gautham Vedam (Secretary for Events), Murlidhar Sharma (Secretary for Finance), Aashi Gupta (Secretary for Academic Affairs) Jennifer Pacatang (Secretary for Administration), Sravani Baswaraj (Secretary for Student Services) Back row, left to right: Chunlin (Louis) Chen (Secretary for Student Relations), Merika De La Pena (Secretary for Student Relations), Himanshu Arora (Vice-President), and Peter Francisco (President), Alisha Sherakar (Media Officer), Brittany Pruitt (Secretary for Community Affairs), Ayush Malik (Secretary for Student Wellbeing). Not Pictured: Shaoqing (Peter) Zhang (Associate Event Coordinator)
STUDENT EXPERIENCES The Path to Success at GovHack by Rachel Bukowitz, Global MSPPM In the early days of my first year at CMU-A, an email went out to all CMU-A students encouraging us to compete in GovHack, Australia's largest open government and open data hackathon. I do not have an IT background, and was quite honestly intimidated by even just the word \"hackathon.\" Nevertheless, I told myself that this was the year that I would push myself to try new things. After all, just a few weeks prior I had been on a 26-hour journey moving around the world to a city where I knew not a single person- - if I could do that then I could definitely do a hackathon! Although I worried about my hacking skills (or lack thereof) GovHack Team members, from left to right: Nitish Bajaj (MSIT), Himanshu leading up to GovHack, during the actual competition the Arora (Global MISM), Jared De La Cruz (MSIT), Julien Veyrunes (non-CMUA), most challenging aspect for me proved to be the teamwork. Simeone Freeman (MSIT), Rachel Bukowitz (Global MSPPM), and Peter In fact, months after GovHack had ended I was sitting in an Francisco (MSIT). ODI class where we were learning about a theory of teams that was developed by Psychologist Bruce Tuckman and I immediately thought back to GovHack. Below I have put together a brief illustration of my experience working on my GovHack team, framed in a Tuckman's theory. Our team formed, normed, stormed, and ultimately performed. It was a highlight of my year.\"
STUDENT EXPERIENCES CMU-A Pitches in for Clean Up Australia Day by Brittany Pruitt, Global MSPPM On March 1st, Clean Up Australia Day, a group of 11 Carnegie Mellon As we made our way to the river, we picked up any rubbish we University Australia students committed to “Step up to Clean Up”! saw on the sidewalks. When we finally made it to the site Our clean-up site for the day was Pinky Flat/Tartanya Wama along everyone dispersed on their own or in small groups. After an hour the bank of the River Torrens near the Adelaide Convention Centre. of collecting, we reconvened to sort the recyclables from the rubbish. As expected, cigarette butts were the most common We started the day at CMU-A’s campus with an overview of Clean item collected, but we also found bottles and cans, leftover party Up Australia Day. For the past 30 years, the not-for-profit decorations, and plastic cups and containers. In total, we had 2 organization has been coordinating clean ups with individuals, full bags of recyclables and 1 bag of general litter. As we had our community organizations, schools, and businesses across the county. lunch and celebrated a successful clean up, I asked students to They provide volunteers with a supply kit with gloves, really cool reflect on the day and if they would change some habits in their compostable bags made from corn starch, a safety kit and lives. Some students they said they would like to commit to doing promotional materials, along with a ton of useful information online clean ups like this more regularly. about the major environmental pollution issues in Australia. Cigarette butts are one of the most commonly found items on clean For myself, I am making the commitment to lower my usage of ups even though there are many bins with a section specifically for single-use plastics by carrying a reusable mug and metal straws cigarette butts. I shared with the group that the toxins that leach with me. Overall, everyone agreed that we can all make an from a cigarette butt are toxic to small crustaceans and they can impact on the waste problem here in Australia and in the world!I take 12 months to breakdown in freshwater and 5 years in want to give a big thank you to the Clean Up Australia Day seawater. This was quite alarming to everyone and definitely a organization, Esme Barratt from the Adelaide City Council’s problem we wanted to target with our clean up. Wellbeing of Adelaide Youth (WAY) initiative for helping us secure our clean-up site and sponsoring our lunch; CMU-A Staff After getting set up with our supplies I asked the volunteers to share and the Student Representative Committee for their support in why they decided to volunteer today. One student from the Master planning and promotion, and last but not least the students of Information Systems Management track stated that they thought volunteers for taking the time out to clean up their community!As it would be a good way to start the mid-semester break and the Student Representative Committee’s Community Affairs another said they wanted to get outdoors. A student from the Chair, I am tasked with coordinating opportunities for CMU-A Master of Public Policy and Management track said they joined students to connect with the local Adelaide community and give because they wanted to spend more quality time with their back. I hope the CMU-A community will continue to make an classmates from the program. impact both inside and outside of the classroom while in Australia. Volunteers, from left to right: K Mohammed Y Safirulla, Nova Swandana, Darwin Soneja, Brittany Pruitt, Lei Ding, Yuou Lei, Liyuan Gu, Yuan He, Rachel Bukowitz, Murlidhar Sharma
HUMANS OF CMU-A ROSES ARE RED, Be loyal to what You'll learn a lot THE SKY IS BLUE, gives you about yourself if happiness, you stretch in the COME TO CMU because that's direction of AND IT WILL BE where naivety goodness, comes in. kindness, THE END OF forgiveness, YOU. :P Himanshu Arora emotional bravery. Be a Matias Peralta Ramos CMU-A is a warrior for love. memorable Rakshanda Rajput space where I Cheryl Strayed grew and changed. Florence Pan
FOOD HOTSPOTS FOR STUDENTS By Namika Makhija Growling tummies in between classes? You are not alone! Does the intensive coursework in college drain out the fuel in you, and you look for refills of savories to stay the course? Well my friend, it’s time to revisit those sweetly sour memories of when you had to forage for food outside of campus. HongFa Photo by Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic. 2019. 12 Heart- Healthy Foods To Work Into Your Diet. Sichuan, Guangdong, or Beijing food, name it and you have it here! I bet this is one of the most popular Chinese restaurants near Hungry Jacks campus. And guess what, one of my Chinese friends told me that their serving is so gigantic you can make two meals out of it! Also, Shake, shake, shake to satiate the hungry drake in their $10 dine in options made it a top pick for many Chinese you! I bet this was your favorite spot to go students. cheesilicious with your meals without burning a big hole in your pockets, thanks to the free shake options Chennai Express on their app. Well, what’s better than that on a cheat day! Vanakkam (Hello) there! For all my time in Adelaide, I have not Subway come across an Indian who would not recommend Chennai Express. From the butter laden vegetable paratha (bread) to the Got a craving? Subway, it is. There is no kidding when drool-worthy potato fritters with spiced coriander sauce on the I tell you that my friends and I have had subway on side, it is a heaven’s delight for anyone and everyone who enjoys days when we had lunch packed from home. Do you Indian spices. Didn’t the warm place always give you the feeling of know why - well, you can always fool your body into home away from home? thinking that you are eating healthy with a sub, right? :P Or otherwise, if your priorities are different and you Guzman y Gomez look for cookies in life, here is a hush-hush secret, 'you get a free cookie by completing a small survey on No manches (really), this hidden beauty across the Central Market subwaylistens' (check out the closing section of your would have taken your taste buds for a toss with a Mexican spin! Subway bill next time). From tacos and nachos to tortillas and enchiladas, I am sure these finger licking dishes added a little grease to your bumpy school life. Oh, and did I mention dessert? I hope you got a chance to devour the perfectly hot and crunchy churros rolled in cinnamon with a chocolate dipping sauce on the side; if not, what are you waiting for, Christmas?
THAT ADDED PERSONAL TOUCH FROM ADELAIDE BY ANNELIESE ELMENDORP I am a born and bred Adelaidian! To me, Adelaide is such a personal city. Personal in that friends and family are close by, personal in that associations with communities can easily be formed, and personal in that ease of access to transport allows me to commute easily to meet someone or attend something. When meeting new people, generally Adelaidians find (and with some fondness) the concept of “six degrees of association” in that you are bound to meet someone who knows or has association with someone you already know. This can be viewed positively as it breaks-down the communication barriers to be able to discuss something or someone you have in common. While I lived in London for a short period in 2011 and whilst a fantastic experience, what I missed was that “personal” association. I was anonymous, I wouldn’t be able to randomly bump into someone in the city unless I had planned to meet them, and being in such a huge city compared to Adelaide those personal relationships or development of association to a community wasn’t as easy or took time. Being such a familiar city, you generally take some things for granted which are missed when you travel. The picture- perfect beaches close-by and the ability to take some time to soak up the sun while swimming or walking along our local esplanades. The fine food and wine from the many chic-inner city boutiques, world-class restaurants and famous wine regions, which we are proudly recognised for. The best and freshest produce from our famous central markets. As a huge tourism and events fan, I am a strong advocate for everything events and as we are the capital of Australia’s “Festival State”, I always look forward to the events that come here, particularly the Adelaide Fringe Festival and WOMADelaide, which during the crazy event season of February and March, you will find me out and about along with so many other locals too! I want people to experience what I love about Adelaide, which is why being appointed your Student Services Coordinator is a dream! All my passions are combined - my love for tourism and events, my advocacy for health and well-being, enhanced further as a local yoga teacher. My personal philosophy is that most people are more productive and happier when there’s balance in all realms of life - study, work and social. I wish to impart this philosophy to students in supporting them to achieve their dreams academically while experiencing everything Adelaide has to offer. While it’s only been for a short period of time with the current student cohort, I am so grateful to be able to add to my personal list - my daily interactions with all of you as such a bright and welcoming student community.
GLIMPSES OF ADELAIDE BY YAN (YVAINE) PAN
Cafe Brunnelli As they themselves like to call it, their gastronomic experience is second to none. A true fact, you all did yourself a favor to grab their special Brunnelli pizza, right? Didn’t it race your heart to meet all the deadlines at work? And this isn’t even the best part; the cherry on the cake is that they give student discounts for you to fit these cafe visits in your student pockets. VERDICT: VIBE: friendly and warm COFFEE & SNACKS: Is it possible to give more than 5 stars?! Wi-fi: Available Flinders Street Project AThis is a ploy to treat your eyes to the beautiful ceiling Photo by Alisha Sherekar that the cafe in the heart of CBD boasts about and take a moment to forget about deadlines of THE COFFYLOSOPHY OF assignments and projects. I am sure that their extensive STUDENT LIFE menu with a variety of options would have made your heart go for a toss. Plus, the fast and free wifi along By Namika Makhija with a lot of power points for you to charge your laptops until you fuel up on coffee - made it a popular spot for a visit. VERDICT: How often did you get bored of working and looked for new corners around the VIBE: scenic, happy campus to work with the much needed COFFEE: 4.5 stars enthusiasm? Well yeah, the campus of Wi-fi: Available CMU-A gives you little room to find any Power points: Because your laptop needs to refuel too. new digs conducive to study. But I will tell you what most of you did - picked your Cibo laptop and took a short walk to one of these places to make it happen over Its originality is simply a pair of fresh eyes. How many coffee! of you grabbed a chair and a cup of coffee and felt the comfort of nothing but home? And don’t even get Voila! here is a list of some popular cafes me started on their chocolate bomb desserts to go where you might have hung out (with your with your expresso, lighting up your mood like a charm laptops, of course :P) at and got some that drives all your procrastination habits away. damn work done. VERDICT: VIBE: casual, homely COFFEE: 4.5 stars (their hot chocolate is even better) Wi-fi: Available
ONE MILE AT A TIME In between the hectic, assignment filled semesters, many CMU-A students take advantage of the breaks to come up for air and travelled far and wide. Check out photos from some of students' favorite destinations this year!
New Zealand On a silly whim, I embarked for New Zealand in December of last year without any predetermined itinerary, save for the fact that I will be starting in Queenstown and end in Auckland. Armed with nothing but a week’s worth of clothes, a camera, and Pirsig’s great road trip novel to while away the idle moments, the plan was to see as much of the country as possible in 21 days. It was at once exciting and nerve- wracking. These photos are my attempt to capture New Zealand’s untamed, mythological beauty. Darwin John Soneja, MSPPM
Photos by Darwin John Soneja, MSPPM
Indonesia Armed with my backpack, recommendations from my wonderful classmates and an appetite for adventure, I set off for a 5-week solo trip to Indonesia and the Philippines. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the semester break and holidays. Both countries are breathtakingly beautiful, have rich cultures and traditions and amazing people that I will never forget. Brittany Pruitt, Global MSPPM Photos by Brittany Pruitt, Global MSPPM
Photos by Lakshya Purohit, Global MISM
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