Abid Khan

Abid grew up in Pakistan and the UAE before moving to Australia to study a Bachelor of Engineering Mechatronics (Hons) at The University of Newcastle in 2015. He chose Australia because of the Callaghan campus, beautiful beaches, high rankings, friendly people and supportive staff. He also drew on the recommendation of his father who visited Australia.

Abid’s initial impressions of Australia were based on the movie Australia. He said “honestly, after watching the movie, I joked with my dad, asking if he expected me to catch crocodiles and ride horses.” Jokes aside, he was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the support from locals, who helped him to settle in and adapt to the culture. The tutors were very helpful, and collaborative courses accelerated his learning and integration.

After graduation, Abid worked in Industrial Robotics and Automation, then moved to wireless sensing in the mining industry. He founded Thermalog to tackle food poisoning and reduce stock loss due to cold chain issues, providing temperature monitoring solutions and predictive maintenance for refrigeration units across various industries.

Abid’s advice for first-year university students: “Focus on building a strong foundation in both technical and soft skills. Network with peers and professionals, seek internships, and always stay curious and open to learning.”