The tour is organised under the New Columbo Plan (NCP) Mobility Program, an Australian Government designed to deepen the relationship between Australia and the Indo-Pacific Region.

Wollongong University’s Academic Program Director for Mechatronics Program, Professor Weihua Li was successful in being awarded a multiyear NCP grant in 2015.

This program supports a two-week study tour for domestic (Australian citizens and permanent residents) mechatronics students to observe and engage with large scale automotive manufacturing and complete a broad range of engineering profession immersion programs in association with universities and industry partners.

Matthew is one of 10 students mostly in their second year of Mechatronics studies who, along with one academic, were due to depart Australia on Friday, June 29 for Beijing.

 According to Matthew’s mother Sue Cudaj, she had no idea if the flight left on schedule due to the volcanic activity over their flight path.

 “We will have no contact with Matt while he is away because of China’s restrictions on Facebook and other internet contact,” Mrs Cudaj said. “I will be concerned until her gets back. It was hard when he moved down to Wollongong for uni but at least we have been in regular contact with him. This is different.”

Matthew said he was always interested in mechanical and electronics things. When he was young he would pull old PCs apart. He said his interest probably stemmed from his father’s interest in computers and old radios.

“Since I was in Year 10 I have been interested in the automotive industry too and it will be very interesting to see what direction it goes in, particularly with the increased efficiency of electronic cars and advances in electronic controls,” Matthew said. “The course I am doing at UOW covers mechanical engineering, coupled with electronics. Previously, to sort out a problem you would need people trained in each of the disciplines.

“Once we arrive in Beijing we catch the high speed rail to Hefei and then head to Shanghai. We are scheduled to visit  two automotive industry plants and a steel production plant as well as the high speed rail facility. The tour is partnered with Beijing Jiaotong University, University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei and Shanghai University.

“It is going to be interesting to see the Chinese trade partnership application of technology in large scale industries no longer undertaken in Australia.”