UQ IEEE HKN Mu-Kappa Chapter

UQ MARS x UQ IEEE-HKN presents: our annual Micromouse competition!
🗓️ Date: 8 February 2026
📍 Location: ModWest Building, St Lucia, UQ

Are you ready to put your skills to the test and compete for some awesome prizes? See below links for more details!

Competition signup: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgJvkqMc7n0ZsVmL9k6BHqfp1Mh1eJzLbrlLD1zvHRQLh8Dg/viewform

Competition rules: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fUiblE-2HmV3oV12eD9NuCBijPVpUv5z/view

Micromouse workshop series: https://events.humanitix.com/uq-mars-micromouse-workshop-series

Make sure you come along, even if you don’t want to compete, because we’ll be hosting an industry expo alongside this competition where we’ll have company booths set up with many industry partners.

Two wins for IEEE-HKN at UQ! Following HKN Founder's Day last Wednesday, this is a great time to reflect on what the IEEE-HKN Mu Kappa Chapter has achieved this semester.

First, in collaboration with UQ IEEE PES Student Branch Chapter, our Arduino Workshop gave students a hands-on intro to embedded coding, building simple circuits, and bringing ideas to life. Then, together with IEEE QLD Young Professionals, The Next Tech Frontier packed the room with fast, inspiring talks: AI & cybersecurity (Roy Joseph Roberto), quantum tech (A/Prof Jacquiline Romero), and the future of the grid (Dr Ed Palmer).

A huge thanks to our speakers, volunteers, and everyone who joined us - more learning, more making, more community ahead!

🚀 The UQ IEEE HKN Mu-Kappa Chapter recently hosted one of its most successful electronics workshops to date!

Building on feedback and improvements from last year, we expanded the experience with HKN-supplied electronics kits, allowing students to follow along hands-on throughout the session. The response? Overwhelmingly positive from both first-year engineering students!

Here’s a quick recap:
🔹 Introduction & Arduino Basics
We kicked off with a concise intro to the Mu Kappa Chapter and the IEEE UQ Student Branch, specifically tailored for first-year students. To foster long-term engagement, we introduced our new "Candidate" program—inviting first-years to join the IEEE Student Branch and become eligible for HKN membership down the line.

🔹 Live Demonstration
Students watched—and coded along—as we built a simple IR motor control system using Arduino. With five technical volunteers on hand, we ensured real-time support for students as they worked through the demo with their own kits.

🔹 Networking & Pizza
We wrapped up the day with catered networking, giving students the chance to connect with HKN members and alumni. The vibe was great, and we’re already seeing increased interest in joining the chapter.

Big thanks to everyone who helped make this event a success! We’re already planning improvements for next time—starting with even more electronics kits so more students can get involved.

🚀 Engineering Entrepreneurship in Action: Insights from Industry Leaders

On March 26, 2025, the UQ IEEE HKN Mu-Kappa Chapter hosted an inspiring Engineering Entrepreneurship Panel, uniting students, academics, and industry professionals for a compelling discussion with three incredible founders:

🔹 A/Prof Arkady Fedorov (UQ, Co-Founder of Analog Quantum Circuits) – Pioneering superconducting device design for quantum computing
🔹 Dr David Noon (UQ Alumnus, Founder of GroundProbe) – Leading innovations in geotechnical and geospatial monitoring
🔹 A/Prof John Williams (UQ, Co-Founder of Rapidflare) – Building high-accuracy, explainable AI for complex electronics

Each speaker shared their startup journey—highlighting early-stage challenges, especially around raising capital, and the strategies that helped turn their visions into scalable businesses. Dr Noon shared how strategic grant use enabled GroundProbe to build revenue-generating prototypes and grow globally. A/Prof Williams emphasized rigorous testing and team culture as key to Rapidflare’s scalability, while A/Prof Fedorov spotlighted quantum computing as a fertile ground for student innovation.

💡 Advice for aspiring founders included:
- Consult experts in your field (A/Prof Fedorov)
- Start small, iterate fast with a minimum viable product (A/Prof Williams)
- Get close to the user to deeply understand their needs (Dr Noon)

The event wrapped up with networking and refreshments, leaving attendees inspired and energized to explore their own entrepreneurial paths.

🙌 A big thank you to our panellists for their insights—and to everyone who joined us for an evening of learning, connection, and innovation!

Engage, Learn, and Question!

Join us for the Engineering Entrepreneurship Panel on March 26! Hear from three inspiring industry leaders as they share their entrepreneurial journeys, discuss challenges in engineering innovation, and provide valuable insights into building successful ventures. The evening will feature a structured panel discussion, audience Q&A, and a catered networking session.

Date: Wednesday 26th of March
Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: 50-T103 (Hawken Engineering Building), The University of Queensland

Limited seats available! Get your free ticket today to save your spot: https://events.humanitix.com/ieee-hkn-eecs-entrepreneurship-panel

Send a message to learn more

🎉 Today is the day! 🎉

Thank you for your enthusiasm for the panel discussion. We are thrilled to announce that all tickets have been sold out!💖

Don't miss out on the networking sessions with IEEE members and industry professionals. We can't wait to see you there!