2020 Mushfika Upama

Graduate Engineer Award 2020

THE WINNER OF THE 2020 RTSA GRADUATE ENGINEER AWARD IS MUSHFIKA UPAMA

RTSA is pleased to announce Mushfika Upama as the Graduate Railway Engineer winner for 2020
Mushfika Upama is a graduate electrical engineer at Arup in Sydney. She received her PhD degree in 3rd generation photovoltaics from the University of New South Wales in 2019 for her research on the development of highly efficient and semi-transparent organic and perovskite solar cells. Prior to coming to Australia she completed a B.Sc. degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 2012. She co-authored 39 journal articles and 12 conference papers in the area of photovoltaics and mentored postgraduate students to develop research and communication skills as a casual tutor at UNSW.

Since joining Arup in 2018, Mushfika has worked in the electrical design team on a number of rail and road projects across Australia, includes earthing and bonding design in AC and DC railway environment, design of high and low voltage supply, renewable energy assessment, and combined services route (CSR) design for multiple rail projects such as Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport, the Melbourne Level Crossing Removal Programme in Melbourne, and the Morley-Ellenbrook Line in Perth. Although relatively new to the rail industry, she has demonstrated an ability and keenness to understand the technical aspects of whatever challenge she has been given and consequently has been given greater responsibility to lead aspects of designs, such as 1500V DC earthing and bonding design for structures and supplies in Melbourne.

Mushfika is a member of Engineers Australia member and an editor of the Arup Rail Skills Network newsletter, which requires her co-ordinating with rail skills leaders, regional leaders and knowledge managers for content, keeping up to date with the latest rail technologies and events both within and outside Arup, as well as editing and writing content. The position has enabled her to broaden her professional network and enhance rail-related knowledge.