Student Representatives
Devender Kumar
Kia Ora and Namaste to all my fellow students. I am Devender Kumar, from India’s capital city of New Delhi. I am with EIT to pursue my Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Management. I bring 15 years’ experience in Human Resources, with a special focus on talent acquisition for various infrastructure multinational corporations for projects across the South East Asia region.
I am part of EIT’s programmme for Student Representatives and want to assure you of my commitment to helping you in any of your concerns, no matter how small. With my professional experience I have in-depth involvement in handling and resolving queries and concerns for employees and I have highly developed listening and problem solving skills too. I can work as a bridge between EIT management and students for the welfare and successful completion of your studies. Do not hesitate to contact me at devikraj@yahoo.com or by mobile on 029 020 84345.
Chetan Sharma
Hi everyone. I am a highly experienced IT professional with over ten years’ involvement with major global corporations, including Dell Technologies. I am currently an Associate Consultant with HCL Technologies and I am based in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. I have specialist skills in IT infrastructure, project management and designing and implementing best practice models.
At EIT I am completing my Master of Information Technology, and I am committed to supporting my fellow students to ensure that our learning experience is relevant, stimulating and varied and that the opportunities to connect with the academic staff at EIT are optimised. In the Covid-19 environment it is essential that meaningful contact is maintained both formally and informally and I want to utilise the virtual forums to engage on matters that are critical to student wellbeing and development.
I can comfortably relate to people of diverse backgrounds (I am also fluent in French), and with my multifaceted professional experience and leadership skills I believe I can contribute meaningfully to discussions on a range of topics that are of interest to EIT students. I can be contacted at SHARMC4@student.eit.ac.nz.
Kariyawasam Kumuditha Achini
Greetings to my EIT student colleagues from Doha. I am known as Ditha and I welcome the opportunity to contribute as a Student Representative in these challenging times. As an offshore student I find that there are increasingly common interests with those of you who are based in Auckland and elsewhere, and I look forward to an ongoing exchange of views and ideas. I have previously been a Student Representative while studying at the University of Northampton in the United Kingdom and as a Research Assistant I also had a strong focus on responding to student perspectives and interests.
One of my key focus areas is supporting and advancing the participation of women in technology and I have been a Student Ambassador for STEM UK. I am enthusiastic about sharing this experience and collaborating with like-minded peers at EIT and connecting around other matters of mutual interest – you can contact me at KARIYK3@student.eit.ac.nz.
Amit Shankar Verma
Kia ora. I am Amit Shankar Verma, from the capital region of India. I have done my PG Dip in Garment Manufacturing Technology from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, India, and have proven and in-depth experience in the field of apparel and leather operations.
Primarily my core expertise lies in planning, technical analysis, industrial engineering, method & process improvisation and I have worked with numerous companies in lean implementation, operational efficiency and productivity enhancement across Asia and Africa. Here at EIT, I am pursuing my Masters in Logistics and Supply Chain Management for enhancing my skills and future career growth in New Zealand, while currently working as a freelance consultant. I am excited about the prospect of meeting my student peers in beautiful New Zealand at the earliest available opportunity.
My human nature and care for people is the guiding force for me in representing students of EIT. Please feel free to contact me at a_s_verma@hotmail.com and it will be my pleasure if I can be of any help.
MARDELAINA CHEUNG
I am Mardelaina Cheung, based in Napier and completing a Master of Information Technology. I have previously lived in New Zealand and it is one of many countries in the world that I am familiar with. I love travelling and I have explored six continents.
My professional background includes roles with multinational companies in the financial services sector – an industry I have since ‘retired’ from – and I have embraced new challenges as a volunteer in both Cambodia and Hong Kong.
As a Student Representative at EIT, I want to be able to support, encourage and inspire my peers. For me, learning never stops. Starting a new life as a student after working for 20 years can be quite intimidating but everyone needs to take the first step. I did. And you did too if you are reading this. Once you get the hang of it, the sky is the limit. Trust me. I have been there.
You can contact me at cheunk2@student.eit.ac.nz.
sneha khilari
Hello and greetings from EIT! My name is Sneha Khilari and I am based in India. I hold more than 13 years of experience in the tourism industry and I have worked with multinational travel companies like Thomas Cook and Kuoni. At EIT, I am pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business through the Online Offshore option.
About me: I love to travel, explore and meet new people and learn about varied cultures. I also like to act as a guide and take people around and talk about various destinations/tourist places that I recommend as worth visiting. New Zealand definitely is on the top of the list.
Well, this passion of mine has made me more compassionate, trustworthy, and able to hold broader perspectives in life. And I am more than eager to help and support you in any issues or problems you face. I am thankful that EIT holds such a strong support policy for all students, especially for international students and should you feel like sharing any feedback or views I am just an email away. Please feel free to connect with me at khilas1@student.eit.ac.nz and I shall do my best.
SNEHA RANGAPPA
Kia Ora Tatou,
I have 11 years of IT experience working for clients in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and South Africa in a variety of roles, including service delivery, QA lead, Scrum master, project manager, and head of sales and solutions. I have primarily held client-facing positions, and I have always enjoyed participating in stakeholder discussions on Test plans, business analysis, resource allocation, and budgeting.
In my professional life, I have encountered a lot of gender inequity. I have fascinating stories to share about the obstacles that others put in my way because they thought I didn't understand my place in society and the wider world but I have never been intimidated by speaking out in favour of what I believed in.
I am passionate about traveling, sky-diving (that’s me in the picture – can you recognise the location?), driving, public speaking, counselling, baking, and writing.
I am also passionate about being kind, helpful to people in need, and people management. I have enjoyed mentoring for the past two terms and wanted to join the Student Representative team to represent the needs of students and serve as a liaison between them and the EIT Management. I have been a public speaker for diversity, women and child rights, equality, and domestic violence in many of corporate events. I currently work as a permanent part-time employee in service delivery for Belron NZ.
Be kind to yourself first, then it is easier to be kind to one another. I can be contacted at sneharangappa0104@gmail.com
DEANNA CUNNINGHAM
Kia ora, I am Deanna Maria Cunningham from India. As an experienced HR professional with 14+ years of experience in all functions of HR and having worked in various industries such as Professional Services, Medical Devices Industry, Consulting, and Staffing Companies to mention a few, I have now decided to bring my passion in HR and elevate it further by pursuing my Master in Digital Business (Level 9) at EIT, Auckland. I believe this will catapult me further toward my career ambition.
Having led high-performing teams, I believe the secret of being a successful leader is tapping and unleashing the team members’ potential and leading the team to be the best version of themselves. I intend to continue this as your Student Representative. Being a Student Representative holds within itself a set of competencies and I love taking on the challenge. I am organized, responsible, and committed to making your academic journey successful. Communication and collaboration are strong pillars that will pave the way ahead and I welcome you to connect with me Cunnid7@student.eit.ac.nz or just chat with me to explore together the best options for a more fulfilling experience.
I'm honoured to have your trust and respect, and I promise to do my best. Together, let’s rock this academic journey!
MAI NGUYEN
Kia ora and Xin chào! I’m Mai Nguyen from Vietnam. My Indian friends call me Maya which means money! I used to think that financial stability is the target of my life. That’s why I have tried a variety of roles from teaching, tourism, working with an NGO to six years in marketing for a cybersecurity firm. Subsequently, I came to a realisation that what fulfils me the most is not what I received but what I gave away!
I’m here at EIT to pursue Master of Digital Business, step out of my comfort zone and go beyond my limitations. Above all, I desire to share, inspire and assist others, especially my EIT fellow students to be the best version of themselves, like what I’m trying to do now! I have a good sense of humour, sympathy and understanding, therefore, don’t be shy to say hi and tell me your concerns anytime on 027 266 5588 or at NGUYET75@student.eit.ac.nz. Just do it, I’m waiting!
ERANGA PERERA
Kia ora and Ayubowan (“may you be blessed with a long life”) to all my fellow students. I am Eranga Perera, from Sri Lanka. I am with EIT to pursue my Master of Applied Management. This is my first experience in New Zealand and I love being here.
When it comes to my profession, I’m a Chartered Accountant and I worked for a well renowned company in Sri Lanka related to the Electricity generation. I was lucky to travel and get many experiences in different countries, such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Nepal, during my employment with the company, and I earned more than 10 years of commercial experience in my profession.
During my experience, I learned a lot about management, how to build and maintain personal relationships and their importance, practising the leadership skills and much more. So, this earned knowledge helps me a lot to understand the course content as well as to strive to score a better result in the assignments.
I’m a gym lover and sporty person, and I love to build PR to connect with everyone. Most importantly, I love to face new challenges and learn from it. Learning never stops.
As a Student Representative at EIT, I wish to inspire, support and encourage my peers, and I want to assure you of my commitment to helping you in any of your concerns, no matter how small, and specially maintaining your privacy also. So, I work as a bridge between EIT management and students for the welfare and successful completion of your studies. Do not hesitate to contact me at eranga999@gmail.com or by mobile on 027 240 0252.
SANGEETHA BABU
Kia ora and Vanakkam. My name is Sangeetha Babu and I come from the south part of India, Tamil Nadu. My mother tongue language, Tamil, is one of the top 10 oldest languages in the world and the oldest living (spoken) language. I have a Masters in International Business Administration and I have come to EIT, Hawke’s Bay to study a Masters in Applied Management.
I am a professor with over 17 years of experience. In my tenure, I have mentored students for more than 10 years and was a curriculum designer at my college and university. So, I understand student needs and aspirations well. I am happy to share my experience to help other students in our EIT who are in need. I am a very approachable and good with administration and leadership and I will always give priority to handling the queries and approaches with utmost care and confidentiality.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, I’ll available 24/7 at 020 4141 4024 or mail me to sangeethababu2005@gmail.com
HERMAN ZUBOVIC
As a Student Representative at EIT, my primary goal is to ensure that students’ concerns on the issues impacting them are heard. Whether it is an issue of learning and teaching or welfare and well-being, there is always a solution, which I will do my best to help you find. I am always ready to hear from any students at EIT about any questions you want to raise because with the help of your feedback, it becomes possible to meaningfully contribute to improving our common experience during studies.
Being a Master’s student in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, I am especially excited about connecting with fellow SCM students. By sharing our diverse perspectives on the industry, we can learn from each other's backgrounds and foster the networking necessary for professional development.
Thus, if you want to have a confidential talk, request advice, enquire about your studies, or just want to have a chat, I am always happy to connect with you through email (ZUBOVG1@student.eit.ac.nz ), Facebook (m.me/herman.zubovich), or LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/hzubovich).
