Engineering

Open Polytechnic employs a wide range of learning and teaching experts who provide academic and learning support to our distance learners.

We also use contractors, mostly off campus, who are subject matter experts in their fields who provide academic support and marking services. 

As a specialist provider of open flexible distance learning, we also employ highly skilled courseware design and development, and education technology professionals, administration and customer support staff, as well as library and learning centre staff who are all focused on helping Open Polytechnic learners achieve their educational goals. 

Find out more about our workforce by selecting an area below.

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    • 

      Dr Harry Tran

      Academic Staff Member - Engineering (Civil)

      Open Polytechnic

      Read more about Dr Harry Tran

      Role at Open Polytechnic

      Dr Tran joined the Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga in Jan 2023 and now is an academic staff member teaching Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil) programme.

       

      Qualifications

      • PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Canterbury, 2019
      • MSc in Building Engineering, University of Greenwich, 2009
      • BSc in Highway Engineering, Hanoi University of Transport and Communication, 2004

       

      Experience

      Dr Tran has gained teaching experience at different tertiary schools in New Zealand and overseas including Univeristy of Canterbury (teaching assistant), ARA, NMIT, MIT, and the OP. Dr Tran taught various courses such as Engineering Project, Civil Engineering Detailing and Modelling, Materials, Highway Engineering, Civil and Structural Drawings, Land Surveying. Dr. Tran has sound work experience in civil engineering as he worked over 8 years for different consulting firms, contractors and land developers.

       

      Research interests

       Dr Tran has research interests in building materials, building information modelling and published several journal articles. 

       

      Publications

      Tran, H., Scott, A., & Dhakal, R. (2020). Mechanical and durability properties of magnesium silicate hydrate binder concrete. Magazine of Concrete Research, 72(13), 693-702.
      
      

      Tran, H. M., & Scott, A. (2017). Strength and workability of magnesium silicate hydrate binder systems. Construction and Building Materials, 131, 526-535.
      
      

      Tran Manh Hung, Le Huy Viet. “Study of interaction diagram method in calculating strength resistance of high-strength concrete column.” Mining Industry Journal, 2013, ISSN 0868-7052.
      
      

      Dang Quang Huy, Tran Manh Hung. “Study of flexural strength of concrete beam with fiber reinforcement polymer rebars.” Mining Industry Journal, 2013, ISSN 0868-7052.

    • 

      Dr Induka Werellagama

      Academic Staff Member - Engineering

      Open Polytechnic

      Read more about Dr Induka Werellagama

      Role at open Polytechnic

      I am an academic staff member in Engineering and help deliver the Bachelor of Engineering Technology programe.

      Relevant education

      Academic Qualifications

      • PhD
      • MEng
      • BE
      • PGCertHELT

      Professional Qualifications

      • CMEngNZ
      • Int.PE.

      Relevant experience

      I taught the BEngTech programs for 8.5 years at the Wellington Institute of Technology, and took part in course development, delivery, and moderation.

      In previous NZ jobs I have 2 years’ experience in a NZ Consultancy and Auckland Regional Council. Practicing Water Engineer. Served as Team Leader of Commonwealth Secretariat advisory team.

       

    • 

      Dr. Gregory De Costa

      Principal Academic - Engineering

      Open Polytechnic

      Read more about Dr. Gregory De Costa

      I am the Principal Academic in Engineering.

      Qualifications and/or training completed/currently studying

      Doctor Engineering, M.Sc. in Environmental Science, B. Sc. In Engineering and M.BA
      Chartered Engineer, CP Eng (Engineering New Zealand), Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.

      Work/ experience relevant to role at Open Polytechnic

      Have undergone training at the Open University of UK
      Have worked 6 years at the Open University of Sri Lanka
      Have worked 11 years at the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
      Have worked 5 years at Unitec

      Research interests/publications 

      As Project Leader of an internationally funded, international project, I have conducted research into climate change, sea level rise and its impact on coastal water resources and adjacent land.
      I have published and presented many research papers in local and international journals and conferences.
      In addition, I am currently the Vice President of the International Association for Hydro Environmental Research Asia Pacific Division.

       I have also organised International conferences in New Zealand as well as in Sri Lanka
      
      

    • 

      Martin Glaeser

      Academic Staff Member - Engineering

      Open Polytechnic

      Read more about Martin Glaeser

      Role at Open Polytechnic

      I am an Academic Staff Member in Engineering.

      Education and experience

      I have Advanced Trade Certificate in Fitting Turning and in Machining, a National Diploma in Management, National Certificate in Adult Education, Certificate in Designing & Facilitating E-Learning and a National Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Education.

      I have worked in various roles including Plant Maintenance, Toolmaking, Process Engineering and Production Management prior to joining the Open Polytechnic engineering team in 2004. My initial role was the delivery of trade training and I moved to coordinating the NZDE in 2015.

    • 

      Mathew Thomas

      Academic Staff Member - Engineering (Civil)

      Open Polytechnic

      Read more about Mathew Thomas

      Role at Open Polytechnic 

      Mathew is responsible to effectively engage and facilitate learning through online teaching platforms and is also currently involved with the development of the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil).

      Mathew is competent in the areas of Highway Engineering, Geotechnical Design, Site Investigation, Water Engineering, Structural Steel and Concrete. Mathew monitors pupils’ participation and progress, providing feedback to part time learners.

      Qualifications

      • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Waikato, New Zealand, 2012-2017
      • Master of Science University of Manchester, United Kingdom, 2009
      • Bachelor of Technology (4 year B.E), Cochin University of Science and Technology, 2007

       

      Experience

      Mathew has more than 6 years of program management and leadership experience with the New Zealand Diploma in Civil Engineering (Level 6), Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Level 7) and other relevant Engineering Graduate Diploma programs (Level 7).

      A clear sense of direction was expected of Mathew for the team and the wider organisation to achieve its goals which included distant-online teaching/logistic support throughout New Zealand for both part time domestic and international learners.

       

      Publications

      Thomas, T.M. (2021). Hands on practical approaches of teaching technical programs in tertiary settings. Australian Association of Engineering Education, Western Australia, December 2021 (online presentation).

       

      Thomas, T.M. (2021). An Investigation into an Engineering classroom setting to understand class dynamics when it comes to practical associated tasks. Unitec Symposium, Auckland, December 2020.

       

      Thomas, T.M. (2019). A Flexible Approach towards Delivering Qualifications to address the Skills Shortage Gap in the Industry. Australian Association of Engineering Education, Brisbane, Australia, December 2019.

       

      Thomas, T.M. (2016). Interaction of STEM within a technological Design Context. International Conference on Engineering Education, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, December 2016.     

       

      Thomas, T.M. (2016). Complex issues around teaching engineering courses. International Symposium on Engineering Education, Waikato University, June 2016.    

       

      NZBED Engineering Forum 2016, Wellington, WELTEC Campus. 

                          

      Thomas, T.M & Williams, P.J (2014). A Complex Interaction of STEM in Technology. Technology Education Research Conference, Sydney, November 2014.

       

      Williams, P.J & Thomas, T.M. (2013) Issues in the development of an Engineering teaching approach. International Conference on Technology Education in the Asia Pacific Region, Nanjing, China, October 2013.

       

      Thomas, T.M. (2015). Technology and Engineering teaching within a Technological Design Context. The TEMS Graduate Symposium, University of Waikato, October 2015.

       

      Thomas, T.M. (2014). What is Engineering and Technology?. The TEMS Graduate Symposium, University of Waikato, October 2014.

       

      Teacher Development Workshops (Teaching Strategies and Evaluation), University of Waikato, June 2013.

       

      Postgraduate Research Conference (Civil Engineering)- Best presentation award.

       

      Poster presentation “static loading assessment of short-to-medium span bridges”, National Symposium on Instrumentation, CUSAT, December 2006

    • 

      Sunethra Pitawala

      Academic Staff Member - Engineering

      Open Polytechnic

      Read more about Sunethra Pitawala

      Role at Open Polytechnic 

      I am an academic staff member in Engineering. My main role is facilitating student learning and helping to achieve learning objectives by creating an effective online – distant learning environment.

       

      Qualifications

      • Master of Science
      • Bachelor of Engineering
      • Certificate in Adult education

       

      Experience

      I have more than 15 years of experience in teaching engineering (mechanical and civil) in NZ.  I also took part in course development and moderation.   

      Prior to my academic role, I worked as a workshop engineer and as an assistant production manager in manufacturing companies.

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