Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
5 minutes ago
An EIT Tairāwhiti student chosen to share his drone research at a national conference is grateful for the support he has received from both EIT and Trust Tairāwhiti.
Bachelor of Computing Systems ākonga Varun Wadhwa is presented his research paper at the Computing and Information Technology Research and Education New Zealand (CITRENZ) Conference 2026, held in Christchurch from 7–9 October.
The annual conference brings together leading academics, researchers and industry professionals to explore the evolving role of technology in teaching, learning and industry practice.
His paper, “Securing Drone Navigation Against GPS Spoofing: Adaptive Residual-Based Detection in an EKF-Fused Stereo Visual–Inertial Pipeline” addresses a critical challenge – keeping drone navigation secure and reliable when GPS signals are compromised.
Presenting at CITRENZ marks a significant milestone in Varun’s academic journey, taking his work into the research world and giving him first-hand experience of an academic conference. It’s an opportunity he is proud of, and he credits the support he has received.
“What began as a student research project has now given me the chance to share my work with the wider New Zealand computing community. I am looking forward to receiving feedback, learning from researchers and industry professionals, and representing EIT Tairāwhiti.”
“I am very grateful to EIT and my supervisor, Dr Amr Van Den Adel, who supported me throughout the research and provided feedback to improve my paper. Thanks also to Dr Anastasia Mozhaeva for on-campus support and for providing the devices needed for my research.”
Varun’s travel and accommodation costs are funded through investment from Trust Tairāwhiti into EIT’s School of Computing and Drone Research Lab. A key purpose of the funding is to open doors for local students to engage in research, grow professionally and take their work beyond the classroom.
Varun thanks Trust Tairāwhiti for its support in making it all possible.
“This experience has also given me greater confidence that student research can contribute to real technology and security challenges.”
Trust Tairāwhiti GM Māori Economy, Alex Hawea, says it is deeply rewarding to see this investment translate into a tangible opportunity for a local student to present his research on a national stage.
“Varun’s success is exactly what we want to see from this investment. It shows that when talented ākonga in Tairāwhiti are given the right opportunities and support, they can excel and compete at a national level. For Trust Tairāwhiti, the next challenge is growing that pipeline – getting more of our rangatahi exposed to technology, AI and innovation earlier, building their skills and creating clear pathways into tertiary study and ultimately into the industries and jobs of the future.”
EIT computing lecturer Dr Anastasia Mozhaeva sees this as a powerful example of what strong partnerships can achieve. Together, regional workforce development, industry and community partners, and Trust Tairāwhiti are creating real-world pathways for EIT students.
“We have already seen how valuable these opportunities can be for the wider region. Some of our local students who previously attended conferences and developed their professional networks have since secured skilled roles here in Tairāwhiti. They are now giving back to the region and helping to strengthen our local STEM and technology capability.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/12/talented-eit-tairawhiti-student-takes-drone-research-to-the-national-stage-eit-hawkes-bay-and-tairawhiti/