Kristen Ong

Undergraduate Scholar

Profile

Published April 2022

Briefly describe yourself:

Kia ora, my name is Kristen. I grew up in Tauranga and I am a 4th year electrical and electronics engineering student at UC.

Why did you choose UC?

I chose to study at UC as I loved the campus and how friendly the lecturers were. Furthermore, I chose UC as I wanted to explore the South Island.

Why Engineering?

I chose to do electrical engineering as I wanted to have the opportunity to work on the very small, such as semiconductor technology, to the very big, such as hydroelectric dams.

How you have benefited from the Aruhiko Power Engineering Excellence Trust (PEET) Scholarship?

The scholarship has allowed me to connect with industry members, allowed me to get more stuck in my studies, and provided opportunities in developing me as a person.

How would you like to contribute to the electricity industry after completing your studies?

The sectors of power engineering I am interested in are transportation power systems, electricity generation, and power protection schemes. I want to help in the effort to decarbonise Aotearoa and meet our 2050 Zero Carbon goal.

What have been your highlights at UC so far?

My highlight at UC so far is the 2021 South Island Power field trip. This trip allowed me to appreciate Aotearoa’s power generation stage in the South Island in relation to the power grid, which added fuel to my inspiration to work in the industry.