Bachelor of Information Technology student Senuth Wickramasinghe has brought his love of New Zealand’s natural environment into his studies by creating a website about Orewa Beach.

Senuth came to New Zealand to advance his knowledge of AI and analytics, having studied a computer science diploma and worked in a trainee system administration role back home in Sri Lanka.

As part of his first year of study, he has developed an eight-page website about Orewa Beach and the surrounding area. It includes functional database connections and an events page showcasing what’s happening in the community.

He used JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and SQL, exceeding the requirements of his first year. He says he might approach the Auckland Council about donating the website for them to use to promote events and highlight the area.

Senuth was inspired to make the website after visiting a good friend who works in Orewa.

“He invited me to visit the beach one day and I fell in love with the environment.”

He says the experience was quite different from what he had seen of Auckland city.  

“The atmosphere and the people really made me love that area.”

A beach lover, Senuth has recently taken up surfing.

As he continues his degree, he looks forward to developing AI-based learning software. The tool would allow students to enter their field of study and receive a range of free online references, saving them time searching for articles.

He is already in the early stages of drafting the project and hopes to launch it as an app for his final-year project. After graduation, he would like to start his own software company in the AI space.

In the meantime, he’s enjoying his time on campus and loves the freedom students have to test themselves and put their learning into practice. 

“I’m having a wonderful time in this diverse community and gaining valuable expertise in the field.