Distinguished ProfessorDikai Liu

Prof Liu has played a leadership role in teaching and educational development in the mechanical and mechatronic engineering program at UTS since 2003. He initiated and led the development of the innovative teaching facilities for flexible learning and e-learning, starting in 2005. Notably, he was instrumental in developing three award-winning remotely-accessible laboratories: the remote programmable logic controller lab, remote coupled-tank control lab, and remote shaker table lab. These remote labs enabled students to conduct physical experiments online at any time and from anywhere. From July 2010 to September 2015, 2626 students in Australia utilized these three remote labs, resulting in a total usage of 9100 hours. His research on the impact of remote labs on student learning has been published in nine papers, and his contributions were recognised through prestigious awards, including the Carrick Australian Award in 2006, a UTS Teaching Award in 2005, and as a 2005 Australasian Association for Engineering Education Award finalist.

Prof Liu has a long track record of successful lecturing across a wide range of mechanical and mechatronic engineering subjects. He has extensive experience in leading the design and/or delivery of innovative courses, including Design Optimisation for Manufacturing, Dynamics and Control, Advanced Manufacturing, and Introduction to Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.

Prof Liu has been playing an exemplary role in research inspired and integrated teaching. He actively encourages undergraduate students at all levels to participate in research teams and engage in projects funded by industry and government, providing them with invaluable research and industry experience. Over 80 Capstone project students have been involved in his industry-funded research projects. Additionally, out of the 23 research students he has supervised, 11 were UTS graduates.