Overview

This year’s annual meeting will take place at Beca’s office in Auckland. The event will begin with the Postgraduate Researcher of the Year competition, followed by the meeting. After the meeting, Rob Kirkpatrick will deliver the Kennedy Wunsch Lecture. The event will be held both in person and online, and will conclude with a dinner for attendees.

Speaker

Rob Kirkpatrick

Rob graduated with a BE(Hons I) in Chemical and Materials Engineering from Auckland in 1972. He was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship in 1972 and completed his PhD at UMIST in 1975. Before heading to the UK, Rob taught for a semester in the Chemical and Materials Engineering Department.

Post-PhD, Rob held various developmental, operational, senior engineering, and executive positions (up to VP level) in NZ and international companies such as Mobil Oil, Union Carbide, and Methanex Corporation, across the US, Canada, Singapore, and NZ.

In 2004, Rob joined the Energy Centre at the Business School, UofA, and the Faculty of Engineering, teaching Chemical Engineering design. Since 2011, he has led the introduction and teaching of Systems Engineering as an Adjunct Professor.

Rob is a global expert in methanol plant design and operations and high-efficiency distillation units, with numerous patents and technical articles. He serves as a Director on the Board of Ngawha Generation Ltd and provides strategic technical and commercial advice to major corporations, including a significant investment project in the US.

Rob's extensive experience with Mobil Oil, Union Carbide, and Methanex Corporation has enabled him to mentor researchers and post-graduate students, resulting in numerous academic publications.

He has been actively involved in IChemE activities, including accreditation panels and webinars. Rob also contributes to the community, serving on the Board of Auckland Grammar School for about 30 years, including 10 years as Chair.

Annual general meeting dinner

This year’s dinner will be held at The Pavilion, located at 7 Jellicoe Street, Auckland. If you’d like to attend, please indicate your interest and purchase a ticket through the registration form.

Transport and parking options

Public transport
The Pavilion is a 15-minute walk from Britomart Station, with access to trains and ferries along the waterfront.

Parking
Paid parking is available at Wynyard Quarter Car Park, located at 110 Pakenham Street West, Auckland.

Time

15:00–19:30 NZST.

Agenda

• 15:00 – Postgraduate Researcher of the Year competition (face-to-face only) 
• 17:00 – Annual general meeting (hybrid event)
• 18:00 – Kennedy Wunsch lecture presented by Rob Kirkpatrick (hybrid event)
• 19:30 – Dinner at The Pavillion, 7 Jellicoe St, Auckland (tickets purchased via the registration link)

Documents

• Download previous minutes
• Download a nomination form
• Download the 2024 financial accounts - coming soon

Price

Price includes GST.

• IChemE member: Free
• Non-member: Free
• Student and early career researcher: Free
• Dinner ticket: $60.00

Software

The presentation will be delivered via Microsoft Teams. We recommend downloading the app from the Microsoft website, rather than using the web portal.

Webinar archive

This webinar is free of charge and open to all to attend, but if you wish to access the slides and a recording to replay on demand then you will need to be a member of IChemE.

Please register below to attend any of the events in person, or to join the annual meeting and/or Kennedy Wunsch lecture online. You can also purchase tickets for the dinner during registration.