Growing up in Zimbabwe, Teddy Zvidza used to watch planes fly over his house and school and became fascinated by them - from a young age, he knew aeronautical engineering was what he wanted to study.
Although the decision to study a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering was a somewhat easy one, the university at which to complete the degree required a bit more research.
Moving from Zimbabwe to Australia to study, Teddy looked into options at UNSW Canberra, which stood out for him due to its connection to the Australian Defence Force and the associated opportunities to study alongside trainee officers as well as civilian students like himself.
Teddy says a standout memory from his time at UNSW Canberra was during the Warman Design and Build competition, a highly-regarded competition within the engineering community for its promotion of critical thinking and experiential learning.
The night before the competition, the students were working on their robots and shared ideas and tested theories to ensure they had functioning robotic systems on competition day.
To Teddy, these acts of kindness and support, despite the competitive nature of the event, echoed Ubuntu, a Zulu word meaning ‘humility to others’ and is often used to remind us that we are a community: 'I am what I am because of who we all are’. Teddy realised that this was the epitome of engineering and solidified the type of engineer he wanted to be.
Teddy graduated from UNSW Canberra with a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering (Honours) in 2021 and started work at Nova Systems as a Graduate Engineer. That same year, he was listed in the Top 100 Men to Watch in Aerospace 2021 – a nomination that came from his Honours Supervisor at UNSW Canberra, Bianca Capra.
Teddy says that Dr Capra saw potential in him before he even completed his studies, and UNSW Canberra’s unwavering support had a significant impact on the trajectory of both his personal and professional life. This was showcased in 2023, when Teddy received the Defence Industry Rising Star of the Year Award from Defence Connect, and again more recently when he won the Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year Award from Engineers Australia.
This was Teddy’s proudest moment since graduating, and with an abundance of mentors, Nova Systems colleagues and senior leaders supporting him at the ceremony, it was the second time Ubuntu echoed for him in the engineering world. When Teddy phoned his parents on the night to tell them about his win and the support he received, he heard the joy in their voices and knew the Defence industry was where he wanted to build his career.
Teddy says the STEM industry is forever evolving, and what makes it different is the people in the industry and their ability and willingness to adapt to change and advance humanity without seeking much credit.
As an African Australian, embodying Ubuntu in life as well as work brings Teddy the greatest joy. He sees this spirit of collaboration and selflessness in the STEM community, where individuals work collectively for the greater good - the very essence of Ubuntu.
Since graduating, Teddy has maintained ties with the UNSW Canberra community by participating in the Young Women in Engineering (YoWIE) program in 2022 as a guest speaker. He also keeps in touch with his professors and lecturers, many of whom have become mentors and great friends.
Teddy’s friends describe him as someone brimming with ideas, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a knack for thinking outside the box. He gives back to the engineering community as the Chair of Young Engineers Australia (YEA) in Canberra and is a member of the United States Embassy Canberra Youth Advisory Council.
Teddy is deeply interested in politics, diplomacy, and international affairs, aspiring to become a senior official who can represent Australia and provide advice to government and industry on matters relating STEM and Future Technologies and assist to shape the strategic directions of these organisations.
Teddy says that in the STEM community, collaboration and selflessness are the norm, with individuals working collectively for the greater good, aligning with the principle of Ubuntu emphasising shared humanity and interconnectedness.