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Vennkatta in the Great Court

From firefighting robots to rocket science: Vennkkata’s UQ experience

UQ people
Published 17 Jul, 2025  ·  5-minute read

Vennkkata has always been fascinated by how things work. As a child, he dismantled a remote-controlled plane just to understand the wiring and components inside. His passion for flight grew stronger during international holidays where he saw real aircraft up close. By age 15, he was determined to study aerospace systems, ready to discover how planes and rockets take off and fly.

Vennkkatta in the Atrium

Inspired by campus and culture

Vennkkata began his Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) at UQ, specialising in mechanical and aerospace engineering. One of the first things that drew him to UQ was the inspiring campus environment. Once enrolled, he quickly embraced both academic life and the social opportunities all around him.

What surprised him most was how multicultural his experience has been. He’s built strong friendships with students from around the world, an experience he says has broadened his thinking and helped him become more open minded.

Engineering in action

UQ’s emphasis on practical learning has been a major highlight for Vennkkata. In his first year, he worked on a team project to design an unmanned firefighting vehicle. It was a great chance to turn what he’d learned in class into a real engineering solution. His team’s design placed in the top three, boosting his confidence and giving him a real sense of achievement. Practical, team-based projects like this are a big part of studying engineering at UQ.

From the classroom to the workplace

Vennkkata’s courses cover topics like combustion, propulsion and design. But what he enjoys most is using what he learns to solve real engineering problems. With support from UQ’s employability team, he’s able to gain valuable industry experience through internships. These opportunities are helping him connect classroom learning with practical workplace skills, preparing him for a career in aerospace engineering.

Support that makes a difference

One of the highlights of Vennkkata’s time at UQ has been the support from teaching staff. When he asked for a regrade on an assignment, his professor took the time to give detailed and helpful feedback. This kind of personal attention, even in large classes, has made a big impact on his learning.

That support has helped him stay motivated, especially during the challenges of online study.

Vennkkatta playing table tennis

Adapting to change and looking to the future

As he continues his studies, Vennkkata remains focused on gaining hands-on industry experience. He’s determined to make the most of his time at UQ, not only learning from textbooks, but solving real engineering problems and preparing for a future in aerospace.

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