Professor Andrew Downing

Professor Andrew Downing was appointed Head of Electrical and Information Engineering at the University of South Australia from 12 February 2007. After most of his working life at Adelaide and Flinders Universities, and leading the establishment of engineering at Flinders, Andrew has returned to the University where his teaching career began as a part-time tutor. Andrew brings to UniSA his previous experience in workplace learning, developing students’ communication and professional skills, and encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialisation.

As National President of Engineers Australia in 2005, Andrew played a lead role in the development of their Strategic Plan, and championed the Professional Development Programs for all members of the engineering team seeking chartered status. He is a strong supporter of programs aimed at exciting school students about careers in engineering. He currently chairs the Board of Engineering Education Australia, a subsidiary of Engineers Australia.

Andrew is a co-founder of Seniors-On-Line. Started in 1994, Seniors-On-line is a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in introducing people over 50 to computing though a highly supportive learning environment. The organisation grew out of an interdisciplinary research program into how technology could benefit older people. There are now more than 1,000 class enrolments annually and many of the volunteer teachers are retired engineers.

Outside his career Andrew is involved in voluntary community work as a board member and President of Novita Children’s Services, an organisation providing therapy and support services to over 1,300 children with disabilities and their families. Andrew and his wife Sue share a love of singing, and are active members of the Tutti Ensemble, a community-based music-theatre group with a membership of over 200, half of whom identify with a disability.

FIEAust, CPEng

• Biomedical engineering, with particular focus on rehabilitation engineering, technology for older people, and developing assistive devices for persons with disabilities.