ECU researcher Kazi Yasin Islam won for his idea to develop innovative underwater wireless technology.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) Researcher Kazi Yasin Islam has won the Vice Chancellors' Award, in the Universities Australia pitch it clever competition for his idea to develop innovative wireless technology that can be used underwater.
The prestigious competition asked entrants from around the country to tell the story of their research work and its impact on the broader Australian community.
Kazi is a PhD student at the Sustainable Electrical Energy and Digital Technologies Research Group (SEEDT) in ECU's School of Engineering.
His innovative research surrounds developing strategies and techniques for energy-efficient underwater wireless communications. His work is fuelled by a rapidly growing interest in The Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT).
"The realisation that a wide range of research fields can benefit from my research, as it helps unpack the mysteries of the underwater world in a sustainable way, has inspired me to pursue research in energy-efficient underwater wireless communications," he said.
"This research is looking to combine the best of both light and sound in a hybrid technique. Our method allows faster wireless technique underwater and at the same time saves energy."
Kazi was one of three national winners in the pitch it clever competition for 2022. Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson has congratulated the winners in each of the categories, which also included The Universities Australia Award and the People's Choice Award.
"Competitions like pitch it clever showcase the bright ideas, knowledge and initiative that often starts on our university campuses," Ms Jackson said.
"We're extremely pleased to help share this important work with everyday Australians and highlight the value of university research in solving the nation’s biggest challenges and changing lives."
Kazi's winning video was selected by a panel of Australia's Vice-Chancellors.
Along with the prestigious title, he also receives a $3,500 cash prize with return flights and five nights accommodation so he can join The Conversation's Melbourne-based editorial team, where he will sit in on news conferences, have lunch with the editorial team and get the opportunity to shadow an editor.
Watch Kazi's Pitch it clever 2022 - Exploring the underwater world video.
