Electronics Weekly
Continuing our series on the latest EW BrightSparks of 2024, we profile Hamza Farah, a UKESF scholar and a Graduate Signalling Engineer at Siemens.
Achievements
Hamza has only recently joined Siemens, having graduated last July with a BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Manchester.
He highlighted both his work in STEM outreach (for full details of which, see below) and the experience he gained during his industrial placement as a Photonics Engineering Intern at the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult, during his degree.
He worked there for a year, contributing to a range of projects. The most prominent being the software implementation of various graphical user interfaces using Python. These GUIs were used to automate and test VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) devices.
During this project, Hamza learned how to use SCPI commands to communicate with and control equipment for automated testing. He then implemented the PySimpleGUI framework to create user interfaces for these tests. Part of the process involved using a high-speed oscilloscope to visualise eye diagrams, as well as a high-speed Bit-Error-Rate Tester (BERT) to evaluate signal quality.
In addition to this, he worked on other projects, including research into energy-efficient networks and ways to optimise energy usage in the workplace. For this project, the completed report was submitted to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). He also participated in the testing and training of lasers used for high-speed optical communications (at speed up to 56 gigabaud).
As mentioned, Hamza also achieved the distinction of becoming a UKESF scholar. For example, he also completed the UKESF Engineering Workshop, learning valuable skills such as negotiation, effective listening, and managing digital footprints.
Another achievement he was particularly proud of, we learned, was receiving the BP Achievement Award in his first year of university. This was in recognition of a 1,000-word essay he wrote on how greener environmental solutions can improve traditional hydrocarbon exploration and extraction.
Mention should also be made of his academic progress, which saw him achieve a First Class Honors degree in Engineering, with results well above the first-class grade boundary. He told us how proud he was to achieve the degree – a goal for which he had been striving for almost a decade.
Community
On the community and STEM outreach side of things, Hamza has also been busy.
Providing guidance and sharing knowledge with peers were one of the most fulfilling aspects of his industrial placement, he told us.
Firstly, he highlighted having the opportunity to mentor someone early in his internship. He was helping the son of one of his fellow engineers. This was an A-level student seeking exposure to the engineering industry, and who visited the Catapult.
Hamza guided him around the labs over the course of the week-long internship, introducing him to equipment he hadn’t encountered before, such as source measurement units and high-performance oscilloscopes. He told us it was a rewarding and gratifying experience to transfer such skills, especially given the intern’s growing interest and curiosity in what Hamza was explaining.
Another experience was a STEM outreach activity he took part in in South Wales. At the end of February, he attended a science fair in Cardiff where he and others showcased and promoted electronic engineering to children in an interactive way. Hamza explains:
“We used simple household materials, such as a battery, magnet, and paper clips, to create a basic motor. We also demonstrated an interactive circuit board, allowing students to power various electronic items depending on the circuit configuration. This was a fantastic experience where I assumed a leadership role, interacted with many people, and further developed my teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills. Both scenarios were significant to me because they allowed me to witness first-hand how much my confidence and communication abilities had grown, as well as the positive impact these experiences had on others.”
In addition to this, he also tutors A-level and GCSE Mathematics and Physics. This is both voluntarily and as a part-time job alongside his studies.
He highlights that Siemens actively participates in STEM outreach programs. This involves collaborating with schools, universities, and community organisations to inspire young students to pursue careers in engineering and technology.
As a graduate engineer, he has had the opportunity to volunteer for STEM workshops, attend career fairs, and represent Siemens at community events aimed at increasing interest in technology, he told us.
Furthermore, Siemens Mobility encourages its engineers to mentor not only within the company but also for aspiring STEM students. This has led to his involvement in mentoring initiatives with educational institutions.
“These opportunities allow me to guide students through real-world engineering challenges and offer career advice both inside and outside of the company.”
Siemens also supports STEM education globally, through the Siemens Foundation. As a graduate engineer, Hamza explained, he has had the privilege to support these initiatives. For example, he has helped develop curricula and provided expertise on engineering topics for students.
Additionally, he highlighted, graduate engineers like himself have had the opportunity to share their insights on transportation technology, sustainability, and AI through blogging and other media platforms.
Congratulations to Hamza Farah!
See also: Elektra Awards 2024 – The Winners
