Amajith Wanigasinghe: "I had to push through the difficulty"
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Sri Lanka and spent my early childhood there until I was nine. After that, I moved to Italy, where I lived until I was 18, and my family still resides there. As a child, I loved the animated television series Iron Man and was fascinated by his high-tech suit, which sparked my interest in technology.
When did you know you wanted to be an engineer, and why?
Watching my dad fix household appliances and computers further fueled my curiosity about how things work, especially how small electronic boards could control complex machines. By the age of 14, I chose electronics and telecommunications engineering in high school, which set me on the path toward a career in engineering. I realised I loved designing and understanding systems – which naturally led me to study electrical engineering at university.
What were the biggest challenges for you when studying engineering at university, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges was starting a new life on the other side of the world, in Australia. I had learned advanced maths and engineering concepts in Italian, and adjusting to learning them in English just took time. I had to push through the difficulty on my own; no one could really help, as I was the only Italian studying engineering in my cohort. Another challenge was juggling study, work, and enjoying life at the same time. The easiest way I found to manage this was by making friends at university. We formed study groups, hung out, and kept each other company while helping each other succeed. Many of these friends are still close today – some have even become my colleagues and clients. Their support made a big difference.
Looking back at your uni days, what advice would you give those about to start their undergrad engineering degrees?
Engineering is about understanding problems and finding solutions, not just passing exams. Even though real-life engineering might be different from what we learn at university, the skills you develop in approaching problems systematically are what really help. Focus on thinking critically, exploring solutions, and understanding the “why” behind concepts. Those habits will carry you far in your career.
What is your favourite engineering task/type of project, and why do you enjoy it so much?
I particularly enjoy designing and optimising high-voltage earthing and protection systems in complex environments like rail corridors, water treatment plants, and airports. These projects are challenging because they must meet strict safety standards, perform reliably, and be practical to construct. I enjoy the problem-solving aspect and the satisfaction of knowing that my designs contribute to the safety and reliability of critical infrastructure, ultimately benefiting society.
What’s the most striking/impactful piece of engineering and/or career advice you have ever heard, and how did you apply it?
The advice that has always stayed with me is: “An engineer’s job isn’t just about doing maths and drawing lines on paper – it’s about making things work safely in the real world.” Whether it’s designing systems so people have clean drinking water, recycling wastewater to improve sustainability, or ensuring public transport runs reliably, our work has a real impact on society. This perspective reminds me that the purpose of engineering is to improve people’s lives.
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