David Valencia Redrovan
As a PhD candidate from Ecuador, David is based at The Centre for Automation and Robotic Engineering Science (CARES). He has already secured a position at a New Zealand company and continue working in an industry which challenges him to devise smart solutions for complex problems.
David's research focuses on Reinforcement Learning applied to robotics. "The incredible ability of humans to learn has inspired me to develop new algorithms aimed at replicating certain human abilities in robots," he explains. This field holds immense potential for advancing both artificial intelligence and robotics, and David is passionate about contributing to these advancements.
"Right from the start, my supervisors showed genuine interest in me, which gave me a great initial impression," he says. Additionally, the university's high ranking was a significant motivator for David to travel across the globe to New Zealand.
David is also impressed with the university's top-notch technology and facilities, noting that the university "boasts some of the best, world-class equipment, technology, and facilities”.
David particularly values the opportunity to work with fourth-year students to enrich other skills, valuable for his future career. "As a PhD student, my supervisor involved me in their projects, which helped me improve my communication skills," he explains.
David has found his experience at UoA to be reflective of New Zealand's laid-back yet thorough culture. Adapting to the freedom and easy-going Kiwi lifestyle initially took some time for David. "However, once I understood and embraced it, everything became much easier," he says.