Jiabai (Isabel) Yan
Master of Engineering Project Management student
Can we improve people’s living conditions without putting so much pressure on nature? That’s the question that led Jiabai (Isabel) Yan to AUT’s Master of Engineering Project Management.
“Where I come from, we’re very good at developing cities quickly. In China we can build large residential communities, accommodating more than 25,000 people, with beautiful and well-organised living environments. But behind this efficiency, there’s also significant pressure on the natural environment. I’ve worked as a project manager in the property development industry for more than 15 years, but after coming to New Zealand, I started asking myself if we have to put so much pressure on nature to improve people’s living conditions.
“My story in New Zealand began in March 2024, when I first set foot here. The first person who welcomed me was a Māori man speaking fluent Chinese. He said, ‘Welcome to New Zealand’, and even helped me with my suitcase at the airport. It was a very small moment, but I still remember it. For the first 16 months in Auckland, I worked for a property development company in New Zealand. But outside work, I often spent my weekends hiking and surfing with local people. Every time I saw New Zealand’s mountains, forests, ocean and coastline, I felt that this natural environment was something incredibly precious. I gradually fell in love with New Zealand – not only with its landscape, but also with its people and their connection with nature.”
She says that was when she realised something.
“I don’t lack the experience, ability or technical skills to develop property efficiently. What I realised I was missing was the knowledge of how to develop sustainably – how to improve people’s living conditions without compromising the natural environment. That became the motivation for me to continue learning. My undergraduate background was in architectural design, so I decided to combine that background with project management and applied for the Master of Engineering Project Management at AUT.”
Supported to thrive
Isabel admits that the start of her AUT journey wasn’t exactly straightforward, and she is grateful for the support of one of her lecturers.
“Getting here wasn’t straightforward. At that time, I was changing from a work visa to a student visa. My visa took more than four months to be approved, and by then, the semester had already started. The only person I could communicate with at the beginning was Dr Funmilayo (Funmi) Ebun Rotimi, our course leader. Unfortunately, I also became sick and needed surgery during this period. Through many online conversations, Funmi patiently explained what I needed to know as a new student and encouraged me to focus on my health first. She told me, ‘Your health comes first. Don’t worry about missing classes. We will help you catch up.’ With her support, I was able to start AUT later than planned, but eventually made it here. And she still helps with any study issues and problems every day.”
There are three other staff members whose support she has especially appreciated.
“After arriving at AUT, I chose Dr Xichen Chen as my supervisor. What I really appreciate about her is not only her professional knowledge, but also the way she teaches. She keeps up with the latest developments in the industry, but can also explain complicated professional concepts in a very clear and understandable way. She also encouraged us, as master’s degree students, to participate in her research and conduct surveys with professionals in the New Zealand construction industry. For me, this was a big step outside my comfort zone. Starting from almost zero, I began talking to industry professionals and learning how the New Zealand construction industry works. This experience has not only helped my research, but has also given me much more confidence about my future career here.
“This semester, I also had the opportunity to take a course by Professor Ali Ghaffarian Hoseini. Because Ali and I share a background in architectural design, I found his teaching particularly valuable. He brings many years of real industry experience into the classroom, and teaches us how to look at practical problems from an academic and analytical perspective. But my AUT experience has been much more than just attending classes. I also participated in the university’s tree-planting activity, where I met the lovely Amelia Adams and became involved with the Green Impact community.”
A bright future
AUT is much more than a place where she’s getting another degree, Isabel says.
“Sometimes I feel that coming to AUT has made me a little sponge in an ocean of knowledge, constantly absorbing new ideas, and our lecturers are like giants who lift us onto their shoulders, allowing us to see further than we could by ourselves. It has been a journey of stepping outside my comfort zone, understanding New Zealand from both a cultural and academic perspective, and discovering what I really want to contribute.
“Outside of classes, I’ve also joined courses and activities offered by the library. As a non-native English speaker, improving my academic writing and communication has been one of my biggest challenges – and also one of the areas where I’ve grown the most.”
Expecting to complete her Master of Engineering Project Management at the end of the year, she is excited about the future.
“Next, I’ll be working as an intern on projects related to prefabricated construction at Archiland Ltd. I hope to continue combining my previous experience in property development with what I’m learning at AUT, and contribute to a greener, more sustainable and environmentally responsible New Zealand. I don’t know exactly where this journey will take me, but I know one thing: I’m already on my way.”
