Siju Joseph Thomas
Academic Staff Member
Location
About
Dr Siju Joseph Thomas is an expert in the field of engineering education. With a focus on the learning linkages between problem-based learning (PBL) and work-integrated learning (WIL) in engineering education, Thomas has made significant contributions to the understanding and enhancement of student learning experiences.
Thomas’s course expertise is in the areas of power engineering, electrical machines, power systems, power systems protection, electrical principles, PCB designing, and introduction to computer networks.
Thomas also holds experience in the field of microwave antenna design, specifically working on micro-strip patch antennas utilised in mobile communications. He has successfully designed antennas for a project that involved wireless, omnidirectional barcode reading through micro-strip patch antennas.
Awards
- RGPV India - Micro-strip Patch Antenna for Mobile Communication Project
- CUSAT India - Micro-strip Patch Antenna for Mobile Communication Project
- CUSAT India – Laser Communication project
- Engineering New Zealand - Member
Qualifications
- PhD in Engineering Education, University of Waikato, 2023
- MTech in Digital Communication, RGPV India, 2016
- BTech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, CUSAT India, 2013
Research activity
Recently completed PhD in Engineering Education – the topic was “Learning linkages between projects and work placements in engineering education”. In this research, the focus was on Mechanical Engineering students of the School of Engineering, University of Waikato.
Areas of expertise
Industry experience, affiliations, and achievements
Research activity
Select publications
- Thomas, S., M, Fathima. (2015). “Bandwidth Improvement of Micro strip Patch Antenna using Partial Ground Plane” in IJERT journal, IISN: 2278-0181, Vol. 4, Issue 11. https://doi.org/10.17577/IJERTV4IS110353
- Thomas, S., M, Fathima. (2015). “Bandwidth Enhancement of Arrow-Head Micro strip Patch Antenna” in IJERT journal, IISN: 2278-0181, Vol. 04, Issue 5.
- Thomas, S. J., Zegwaard, K. E., & Fox-Turnbull, W. (2021). Graduate mechanical engineering perceptions on the value of learning from work placements and engineering projects. In Work-Integrated Learning New Zealand 2021 Refereed Conference Proceedings (pp. 47-52).
- Thomas, S. J., Fox-Turnbull, W, & Zegwaard, K. E. (2021). Mechanical engineering students’ perceptions on key graduate attributes before and after work-integrated learning. In Work-Integrated Learning New Zealand 2021 Refereed Conference Proceedings.
- Thomas, S. J., Fox-Turnbull, W, & Zegwaard, K. E. (2023). Complementary learning linkages between theory, project and practice in engineering education. In Work-Integrated Learning New Zealand 2023 Refereed Conference Proceedings.
What do you enjoy about teaching/your job?
I enjoy passing the knowledge and skills that I have acquired to my students, and seeing them prosper in their careers and life is what I enjoy the most in this job.
What do you love about your area?
In electrical engineering, I am passionate about power engineering, electrical machines, and power system protection. In engineering education, I am passionate about work-integrated learning and problem-based learning approaches.
Tell us about your experience in the industry
I worked as a Service Engineer at Tata Business Support Services in 2013. I also hold industrial experience in Copper Coiling of Motors and Transformers from ABB New Zealand from 2018 to 2019.
