[This piece is authored and submitted by Dr Miao Li | CSU Engineering]
At Charles Sturt Engineering, we believe that fostering authentic industry connections is crucial to preparing our students for meaningful and impactful careers. Recently, I had the privilege of inviting Hilda Lee, an accomplished engineering leader with over 15 years of international experience, to speak to our students at the Bathurst campus. This event, held on the 26th May 2025, marked an inspiring and memorable morning that broadened students’ perspectives on what it means to be an engineer today.
Currently a Senior Project Manager at AtkinsRéalis, Hilda’s career journey has taken her across Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UK. Her work spans client, consulting, and contracting roles, including high-profile appointments at McKinsey & Company and Balfour Beatty. With academic credentials from Imperial College London and an MBA from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hilda exemplifies the global engineer—technically skilled, deeply reflective, and driven by purpose.
Hilda’s presentation took place in our Engineering building in Bathurst and was attended by students across the first and the second year levels. From the outset, it was clear that Hilda brought with her a wealth of knowledge, practical insight, and an infectious enthusiasm for engineering. During her talk, Hilda highlighted several major infrastructure projects she has worked on, including the Hong Kong high-speed rail station and the current HumeLink project—a 500kV transmission line connecting Wagga Wagga, Bannaby, and Maragle. She also spoke about emerging innovations in the sector, such as the integration of artificial intelligence in construction processes. Students were fascinated by the scale and complexity of these projects and appreciated Hilda’s ability to explain them through the lens of real-world problem solving and stakeholder engagement.
What struck a particularly deep chord with many attendees was Hilda’s reflection on engineering as an intersection of science and the humanities. This theme came alive when she shared her volunteer experiences in Cambodia, where she helped build schools for local children. Her message was clear: engineering is not just about structures and systems—it’s about people, communities, and improving lives. Her work in Cambodia, as well as her involvement in heritage restoration and design empowerment initiatives, demonstrated how engineering can be a profound force for good.
To enhance student learning, I embedded a short reflective questionnaire into our Brightspace site following the session. Students were asked two questions: What did you learn from Hilda Lee’s talk? and What was the highlight of her presentation? The responses were thoughtful and encouraging.
One student wrote, “I really understand how far engineering can take you around the world and the opportunities that can come along with it.” Another reflected, “Civil engineering offers a vast array of opportunities across the world that can all be very unique.” Several students commented on the importance of volunteering and the value of engaging with diverse projects beyond the classroom. One remark that stood out was, “The idea that civil engineering is at the intersection of science and humanities, directly applying science to improve lives, was inspiring.” Others found meaning in the smaller but deeply impactful projects Hilda described: “How impactful and important some smaller engineering projects are, like the school in Cambodia and the French restoration project.” Another noted, “Get involved with various projects, even if it’s for volunteering, it brings different perspectives and opens up more opportunities.”
Another exciting outcome of the visit was an unexpected connection that emerged. It turns out that one of our current students, who is progressing as a cadet engineer at Transgrid, will soon be working together with Hilda on the HumeLink project. This moment beautifully encapsulates the purpose of building industry engagement into our learning environment: to create real opportunities, foster professional relationships, and bridge the gap between university and industry.
Hilda’s visit was more than just a guest lecture—it was a powerful example of how engineering education can be enriched through dialogue with practicing professionals. It also reaffirmed our commitment to exposing students to diverse role models and career pathways. By seeing someone like Hilda—who blends technical excellence with humanitarian passion—our students gain a broader, richer understanding of their future potential as engineers. At Charles Sturt Engineering, we are proud to cultivate a culture of connection, curiosity, and community. Guest speakers like Hilda Lee don’t just share knowledge—they ignite ambition, expand worldviews, and remind students that engineering is not just a career, but a lifelong journey of learning and service.
CSU Engineering offers students hands-on project-based learning. Working on authentic engineering projects and helping solve real problems, the learning experience offers collaboration between students and industry partners. From research and design to prototyping, testing and implementation, students experience the full project lifecycle. You can find out more here.