ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥

Aniket JagtapÌýhas completed aÌýMaster of Engineering (Aerospace) at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide. Aniket tells us about his time after university, his future aspirations, and what he misses most from home.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself.Ìý

As an Aerospace Engineer IÌýlike to describe myself as inventive, adaptable, and capable of fitting into a multitude of situations.

I am from Nashik, which is known as the wine capital of India. After completing my Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and working for 2 years on different projects with multinational firms in India, I decided to study my Masters. I always wanted to come to Adelaide as it resembles my home city in many ways and it always feels like home here.

After completing my Masters, I worked at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ as an Assistant Researcher.

In my current role as a Project Engineer, I am working on multiple projects for companies,Ìýwhich includes the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditationÌýfor ISO 17025, research and development of different remotely operated platforms for specific work requirements.

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What is your goal now that you have completed your degree?

I have always been open to opportunities that have comeÌýmy way, but my goal is to work in the space industry, specifically in the space mining sector. ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ has a huge scope considering its mining expertise. Moreover, Adelaide has become the hub of space activity in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ since the establishment of the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Space Agency in Adelaide. This has opened new employment avenues for engineers like me in South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

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Have you picked up any new hobbies since spending more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic?

I love flying my drone and capturingÌýaerial photographs of places I visit. I like to spend more time learning new things about it, and this free time helped me to do that. I have also focused on my physical and emotional health during this pandemic, as it plays a vital role in these difficult times of isolation and social distancing. Ìý

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What do you miss about home?

This is one of the most challenging questions, as I do not know where to start!ÌýFirstly, I miss being with my family. India has festivals all year-round, and I miss that energetic and vibrant festive atmosphere. I also miss catching up with friends and playing cricket on weekends, which is like a ritual in India. Honestly, my list is big and has no end.

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Speed round!

Zoom or in-person?

In-person.

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What's your go-to study music?

A R Rehman or Hans Zimmer compositions.

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Adelaide Hills or Adelaide's beaches?

I like both, since my hobby is to fly drones and photograph scenic landscapes.Ìý

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Home delivery or home-cooked?

Home-cooked.

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Reading books or streaming TV/movies?

Streaming TV/movies.

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3 things you won't miss about COVID-19 restrictions?

• Travel restrictions
• Unnecessary stockpiling/panic buying
• Not being able to play cricket or badminton

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3 things you won't forget about COVID-19?

• Empty public places
• Uncertainty about employment and closure of businesses
• Lowest fuel prices in a decade