Power Professor joins Sydney University

The University of Sydney’s School of Electrical and Information Engineering has a new head: the power engineering specialist Professor Joe (Zhao Yang) Dong.

During his tenure at the University, Professor Dong will develop a new research centre and work closely with industry, mapping suitable teaching and research training programs to meet the future needs of the electricity supply.

“The world will need more power engineers to design and deliver the next generation of power,” said Professor Dong. “It’s an exciting time to work in the sector as it is changing so rapidly. When I first studied power engineering, the emphasis was on the economic and legal sides rather than on the engineering and innovation side.”

Professor Dong says universities need to strengthen Australia’s local and international reputation in research while developing the educational opportunities for future generations of power engineers.

“We must be able to plan the economically efficient, reliable and secure methods of generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power, at the same time achieving clean, efficient and sustainable electricity supplies,” said Professor Dong.

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies Professor Archie Johnston says the appointment will strengthen the university’s position in electrical engineering.

“We are ranked number one in electrical engineering in NSW, in the latest QS World University Rankings; we are the lead on the CSIRO future grid project; and with academics like smart grid expert Professor David Hill and now Professor Joe Don, we are well positioned to lead research and innovation in this sector,” Professor Johnston said.

Professor Dong will commence his appointment at the university in July. He comes to the University of Sydney from the University of Newcastle, where he held the Ausgrid Chair of Intelligent Electricity Networks.