Patrick, a systems administrator in the Information Systems Department, talks to us about his passion for electronics. Follow in the footsteps of a robotics enthusiast...
Introduce yourself. What is your career path at the University of Guyana and what are you doing today?
My name is Patrick. I work in the Information Systems Department in Cayenne. I qualified as a bap C technician on 1 September 2000, and began my career as an electronics/IT technician and network administrator in the Electrical, IT and Industrial Engineering (GEII) department at the Kourou IUT of the Université des Antilles et de la Guyane.
My work at the IUT was very varied. I set up electronic systems, produced electronic circuits for engraving printed circuits, managed the IUT's computer networks and took part in research work. In 2008, I became a computer engineer and helped open the telecommunications networks department.
In October 2015, I joined the IS Department on the Troubiran Campus. Today, I administer the schooling services (APOGEE), application, administrative registration, pedagogical registration, student files, grade management, under the TOMCAT server. I took part in the enrolment chain in 2016 to see the problems encountered by administrators and also students, and to fix and improve the systems so that users are satisfied.
What is APOGEE?
APOGEE is a software package (Application for the organisation and management of teaching and students). It is used to manage student enrolments and files in French universities. I administer its Oracle database and WEBLOGIC application, including the major migration of the database and application this year.
APOGEE communicates with other external services. I contact these services, for example: APB, CROUS, mutual insurance companies and Paybox for payment by credit card. I check and format the student data by configuring the network connectors. I work in collaboration with other departments, creating scripts for colleagues to connect applications (PERL, PHP, PL/SQL). For the schooling department, I modify APOGEE reports, for example the layout of the student card.
You have a passion for electronics. Where did this passion come from? How far has it followed you?
My passion for electronics came to me as a child. I loved tinkering with all kinds of objects, especially electronic ones. I used to buy computer magazines, where I copied computer codes, to play games that I repaired or created. At college, I was in a computer club, where I got to know the classic MAC and in particular C code. With some friends, we created a book management application (with a graphic interface) for the library.
My passion then led me on to other hobbies such as robotics, home automation and model making. I love all new technologies. For example, I set up and installed a 3D printer at the IUT, to demonstrate its usefulness.
I'm also a member of a robotics club in Kourou called CRISK (Club Robotique, Informatique et Spatial de Kourou). In March 2018, we are organising the Guiana Robotics Cup (http://crisk.space/acceuil/coupe-de-guyane-de-robotique/ ).
I'm also a member of a model aircraft club, the CAG. This allows me to indulge my passion for flying aeroplanes, helicopters and drones in First Person View (FPV). On this occasion, I built a drone from A to Z, with a 3D-printed chassis.
This passion follows me into my own home, where I have transformed and continue to transform my house according to my desires and new discoveries. I've installed a home automation system of my own design. This includes a robot hoover that works according to the instructions I've programmed, lights that go on and off just by talking to them, and so on. I'm going to continue with camera systems... There's still so much to do, it's limitless.
What would be your greatest dream?
I'd like to set up a drone racing league. The idea would be for the pilot, during a race, to manage his drone not from a direct view, but via a special pair of goggles that retransmits in real time what the drone sees (the principle of immersive flight set out above). The pilot becomes the drone and can only see through it. We're already working on the project to make the dream a reality.
What are your other passions?
My other passions are mainly sporting. I'm a big fan of running, especially trail running in the forest. This other passion led me to take part in the Space Marathon with the IUT.
