What's next for Ben Stylianou

[Start of transcript]

AUDIO: Inspiring music plays softly.

VISUAL: BENJAMIN looks directly at the camera in an outdoor park setting. Text on screen reads: ‘Ben Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (Honours). Various shots of BENJAMIN as a child playing with cars/trucks and him in a workshop.

BENJAMIN SPEAKS: Right.  Ever since I got any pocket money, it always went straight into Lego. I always enjoyed building Lego and modifying that. The reason why I pursued a career in engineering, is because I love the idea of innovation. I like the idea of building something and making something custom something that's mine and having a bit of an impact.

VISUAL: Various childhood photos and BENJAMIN showing us a photo book.

BENJAMIN SPEAKS I actually moved up from Tasmania to come to RMIT. I was from Launceston, which is up north. I used to have a little farm there, so I went from farm life to big-city smoke. The good thing about the Bundoora campus, I suppose, and engineering out here, is we are all a bit of a family.

VISUAL: Images of a racing car on the lawn and BENJAMIN in the car giving us a thumbs up.

BENJAMIN SPEAKS This race car is actually part of a competition called Formula Student. It is the largest student engineering competition in the world. And what we do, is we design, manufacture and race this car at the end of each year against different universities across the world. It is designed to put all of your theory that you learn in class into action.

VISUAL: BENJAMIN back in the workshop using various tools and instruments.

BENJAMIN SPEAKS My work on alternative fuel started last year in my final year project. My professor actually rang me up. I didn't even know him at that point in time. It kind of got me interested in this project of running alternative fuels. Where we were sort of pushing for that was an engine which could completely run on ammonia and still satisfy today's economy and power requirements or expectations. It was an amazing feeling to have that engine turnover and run on ammonia. I was there with my supervisor almost in tears that it ran. Unbelievable.

VISUAL: Various shots of BENJAMIN and mechanic structures in the workshop. He also interacts with other students.

BENJAMIN SPEAKS What's next for me? I would really like to make an impact on Australia and even the world in this sort of market, because I really do believe there is a future for this, especially in terms of alternative fuels. As much as I like work and money, I will be back at University soon, furthering my research with this project.

VISUAL: The text on screen reads: ‘What’s next …’ and then the RMIT logo and the web URL ‘rmit.edu.au/school-leaver’ 

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