Machine learning expert retires
After 38 years at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington machine learning expert Dr Peter Andreae (Pondy), Associate Professor in the School of Engineering and Computer Science, retired in April this year.
A specialist in machine learning, in particular learning from complex structured information, Dr Andreae has been connected to the field of Artificial Intelligence since the 1960's when his father started doing research in machine learning systems.
Dr Andreae went on to do his first degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Canterbury, followed by a master’s degree on complexity and a PhD in Machine Learning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. Since then, he has taught thousands of computer science students.
Dr Andreae joined Victoria University of Wellington in 1985, as a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science which was founded the previous year with Professor John Hine as the new Professor. Dr Andreae became a Senior Lecturer in 1988 and went on to become the final Chairperson of the Department of Computer Science in 1996, leading the process of combining Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics into the new School of Mathematical and Computing Sciences.
When the School of Engineering and Computer Science was formed in 2009, he was the programme director for Computer Science for several years, as well as the Science Faculty representative on the University Academic Committee, from 2003 – 2013. In 2015, he became the Associate Dean for Students and for Academic Development for the Engineering faculty, re-joining the University Academic Committee.
He recalls the many individual students he was able to assist during his time as Associate Dean (Students).
“There were so many students who were facing a huge variety of barriers, problems, and difficulties, and being in a position where I could help them address, overcome barriers, or get around those issues has been very rewarding.”
He plans to continue helping others during his retirement, and will be looking for new ways in which to do so.
Dr Andreae notes two broad achievements during his time at the University.
“The first is teaching thousands of first year computer science students (and others from other disciplines), the first steps of programming and the basic principles of computer science. I think I have taught at least part of COMP 102 and/or COMP 103 every year since 1984, except for two years when I was on Research Leave,” he says.
Another key achievement was contributing to the University's academic development and quality assurance process through the Academic Committee, including three revisions of the Assessment Handbook.
“Our goal was always to help Schools and Faculties to establish and develop the programmes that they considered important to their disciplines but ensure that they were doing it well—that their programme design was sound, that the regulations for their degrees and majors would work well for the students, and that they were meeting the academic standards that are important to the University.
“To me, the rules and regulations are just like programming, and my particular role on the Academic Committee was to bring my expertise in the detailed and precise discipline of programming to ensure that the regulations were consistent and fair and didn't have "gotcha's" that would cause students problems—as well as being sufficiently flexible to work for all the different disciplines in the University.”
Faculty of Engineering Dean Professor Dale Carnegie says: “Pondy is one of those very rare people who enable a university to fulfil its core mission—not only teaching students, but inspiring them. His dedication to helping not only students, but also our staff, is absolutely legendary.
“He has selflessly given of himself in a variety of roles during his 38 years here. He has taught over 10,000 students many of whom have had their lives changed for the better due to Pondy’s tireless commitment.
“This University is a vastly better place because of Pondy’s presence. He is irreplaceable and will be sorely missed.”
Dr Andreae says helping other people achieve their goals has always been his favourite part of the job.
“The University is a great place to do that in all sorts of ways,” he says.
“I have loved my teaching, being able to give students new skills that will form the basis of their careers in computer science and software development and helping graduate students. I have enjoyed working with other staff members, helping them with their teaching, with their research, or with new programmes they want to develop.”
For those students who are considering engineering or tertiary study in general, he advises them to go for what they love.
“I love engineering and computer science.
‘If you like it, then go for it. If you don't like it, or it doesn't work for you, then find something else where you can succeed.
“Finding a path where you can succeed with your particular collection of skills, personality, interests, and passions is much more important than doing any one particular discipline.”
He acknowledges the “enormous challenge” teaching in the context of new AI-based tools.
“These are a game-changer and will require creativity, innovation and experimentation to discover new ways of teaching.
“I wish all our staff the best in working through this challenge to discover how to teach the next generation of students for this ever-changing world.”