Profiles

Mr Saravana Rangaswami
Engineering (Mechanical)

SARAVANA Rangaswami chose to undertake postgraduate study at Deakin University to boost his career prospects.  The result has exceeded his expectations; in the same year that he completed his Master of Engineering (Mechanical) specialising in Automotive Product Development in 2007, Mr Rangaswami secured a job with one of the world’s leading mining and exploration companies.

In his new role as graduate mechanical engineer (projects) with Rio Tinto Alcan, Mr Rangaswami’s responsibilities include providing mechanical engineering support, expertise and project management for the metal products department.

Originally from Bangalore in India, Mr Rangaswami decided to apply for the Master of Engineering (Mechanical) course at Deakin as it specialised in automotive engineering and included a semester dedicated to industry projects.   “My final semester project at Rio Tinto helped me to stand apart from other applicants whilst applying for jobs,” he said.  “It was my stepping stone into the industrial world.”

He also attributes his success in gaining the employment to the combination of practical and theoretical skills provided in the course.

“Deakin University’s courses place equal importance on theoretical and practical units, especially in project management,” he said.  “Back home, emphasis was placed on theoretical knowledge and assignments that were not very challenging.  At Deakin, the units were more practical, with current information.  Class size is small, enabling students to get more attention from professors.”

While Mr Rangaswami took the different teaching style in his stride, he also settled into life at the Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds with ease.  He said staff at Deakin had made him feel at home when he arrived.

“The first thing that caught my attention was how helpful the staff was right from when they picked me up at the airport and assisted me in finding accommodation,” he said.  “The lecturers and professors were also very helpful and knowledgeable in their areas of expertise.”

Mr Rangaswami also appreciated the Australian landscape, including the beaches in the coastal region of Geelong.

“Australia is a beautiful country with vast beaches and clean cities.  I just love the place, the multicultural society and its friendly people.  My campus at Deakin was so beautiful and well laid out that it made me feel happy to go to the university to study,” he said.

In the future, Mr Rangaswami would like to head a department and he believes his studies at Deakin have placed him in a position to achieve further success.

“I am confident that my Masters study at Deakin will help me grow up the career ladder,” he said.  “The assignments, deadlines and exams have all moulded me to face the real-life challenges in the professional world,” he said.  “I would definitely recommend Deakin as a place to pursue your studies for its beautiful location, its excellent teaching facilities and its friendly and knowledgeable staff.”