About the Speakers
Dr. Neel Pandey, Group Academic Director – Research and Operations, New Zealand Skills & Education Group
A chartered member of Engineering New Zealand, Dr. Pandey is a highly qualified Executive Leader and an Engineer with experience in Research and Development, Professional Engineering, Education Management and Strategic Leadership roles. After nearly 22 years working in the ITP sector, Dr Pandey joined NZSEG as Academic Director in 2023. With a passion for cultivating and fostering lasting relationships based on foundations of achieving excellence, growth and development in partnership with local industries, Dr Pandey is especially interested in removing obstacles for students of any cultural, ethnic or educational background who wish to study.
Alan Lyons, BEng(Hons), PG DipNRT, CEng, MIET
Alan Lyons is an experienced Chartered Engineer with a background in nuclear and high-hazard facilities operation and control. Alan brings to the table a wealth of analytical skills, adept at solving complex problems focussed on ensuring and assuring business outcomes.
Underpinned by a Twenty-year career in Royal Navy Surface ship and Submarines, Marine and Nuclear engineering, Alan has continued to support the defence and critical services sectors holding various leadership roles with both Rolls-Royce Submarines and Babcock. Currently Head of Product Integrity, Alan’s expertise lies in driving best-in-class engineering governance and assurance, technical risk management, and product safety outcomes.
Louis Havinga, General Manager of Health Technology Management, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Louis is an experienced senior leader in health technology management with a diverse background spanning over 30 years and across international public health organisations. Passionate about collaboration, Louis currently holds a pivotal role orchestrating the delivery of safer, more efficient healthcare initiatives for Te Whatu Ora| Health NZ. With expertise in clinical engineering, asset management, procurement, and project leadership, Louis spearheaded transformative initiatives, including the establishment of a national Health Technology Management function. Louis has been recognised for contributions during significant events such as Covid-19 response efforts and is poised to steer the future of healthcare technology management in New Zealand through strategic planning, customer-focused leadership, and fostering collaborative partnerships.
Dr. Jack (Xuejun) Li
Dr. Jack is Programme Director for the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Professor in School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences (SECMS), Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies (DCT), Auckland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand. He received his Bachelor of Engineering (First Class Honours) and Ph.D degrees from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, in 2004 and 2008, respectively.
