International Buddies

A little bit about me

I am a Design Simulation Engineer (KTP Associate) at the University of Huddersfield, working with Mac’s Trucks Sales Ltd., to help them implement a Simulation-driven design approach in the development of Crane mounted trucks.

My personal interests include cooking (South Indian esp.), film writing / making, Tamil poetry, crayon sculpting, wristwatches among others.

I moved to the UK for the first time, for this role, in January 2026. I am still new and navigating life here. However, my past experience living and working in Germany has taught me to be a lot more independent than I would have otherwise.

Yorkshire in general is a beautiful place with loving people. Looking forward to making friends, and to helping newcomers. Cheers, and Eyup!

My home country:

India

Where I relocated from: 

India

Other countries I have lived in: 

Germany

My contact details:   

Email me at b.shanmugasundaram@hud.ac.uk 

A little bit about me

I am currently teaching in the optometry program to third years (contact lenses), and practical skills. I enjoy being a tourist in my new country, taking photos and watching series. I have two small kids who keep me busy! My family moved in November 2020 to the UK on a skilled work visa. I worked in Higher Education at a different university in South Africa before moving here.

My home country:

South Africa

Where I relocated from: 

South Africa

Other countries I have lived in:   

Trinidad and Tobagao

My contact details:   

Email me at l.s.coetzee@hud.ac.uk 

A little bit about me

I am a Senior Lecturer focused on the field of strategic communication/public relations. I moved to the UK a couple of months before the Covid pandemic, so my adaptation process was understandably difficult. All my education, including my PhD, was in Argentina, so I can give advice on my experience working in a new and very different higher education system (and country as well), from a Latin American perspective!

My home country:

Argentina

Where I relocated from: 

Argentina

Other countries I have lived in:   

Uruguay

My contact details:   

Email me at g.sadi@hud.ac.uk

A little bit about me

I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing and Engineering at the University of Huddersfield.  My personal interests are watching movies and playing Tennis.

Before coming to the UK, I worked as a Senior Lecturer for 9 years at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), which is located in the state of Sabah in Malaysia. 

My home country:

Iran

Where I relocated from: 

Malaysia

My contact details:   

Email me at a.farzamnia@hud.ac.uk 

A little bit about me

Hello everyone, my name is Thierno, and I currently work as a Research Assistant at the University.

Beyond work, I enjoy culture (literature, novels, poetry, photography) and sports, particularly football. Moving to the UK has been a wonderful adventure for me. I especially appreciate the people I've met and the town's architecture.

My home country:

Senegal

Where I relocated from: 

Dakar

Other countries I have lived in: 

France

My contact details:   

Email me at T.B.Sy@hud.ac.uk 

A little bit about me

Hello, I'm Lilies, a Research Assistant in Clean Energy Technologies at the School of Computing and Engineering. My work focuses on developing biofuels and low-carbon fuels from waste, contributing to sustainable energy solutions.

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and exploring new cultures. 

Relocating to the UK was an exciting journey, and this platform made it smooth by connecting me with a buddy who guided me through the apartment rental process and requirements. I know how challenging relocation can be, and I'm happy to offer help and advice to anyone in need.

My home country:

Kenya

Where I relocated from: 

Kenya

Other countries I have lived in: 

Algeria and Germany

My contact details:   

Email me at l.kathumbi@hud.ac.uk

A little bit about me

My name is Nicola Chieffo, and I am a Lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Huddersfield. My role involves teaching, researching, and supervising students, with a focus on structural engineering and risk mitigation strategies for existing buildings. I am passionate about education, sustainable development, and fostering international collaborations. Originally from Italy, I have pursued academic and professional experiences in Naples and Portugal before moving to the UK, where I am now dedicated to contributing to the field of Civil Engineering through teaching and research.

My home country:

Italy

Where I relocated from:

Italy

Other countries I have lived in: 

Portugal 

My contact details:   

Email me at n.chieffo@hud.ac.uk

A little bit about me

I am a Research Fellow at the School of Human and Health Sciences. Before joining here, I pursued my master’s and PhD studies in Japan, and subsequently worked in Switzerland and Singapore. Drawing from these diverse academic and professional experiences, I’m happy to share practical tips and tricks with new joiners on how to navigate and thrive in this environment.

My home country:

Myanmar

Where I relocated from: 

Singapore

Other countries I have lived in:   

Japan and Switzerland

My contact details:   

Email me at K.Lwin@hud.ac.uk 

A little bit about me

Hello, I’m Michael, a Senior Lecturer in Optometry in the School of Applied Sciences. My work involves teaching, research, and supporting the development of future optometrists.

Outside of work, I enjoy engaging with different cultures, traveling, and promoting eye health awareness.

Originally from Ghana, I relocated to the UK from Trinidad and Tobago and have also lived in Zimbabwe. My international journey has shaped my perspective, and I understand the challenges of moving countries. I’m happy to offer support or share my experience with others relocating to the UK.

My home country:

Ghana

Where I relocated from: 

Trinidad and Tobago

Other countries I have lived in: 

Zimbabwe

My contact details:   

Email me at m.kwarteng@hud.ac.uk 

Dr Daniel Sánchez Muñoz

Since 2019, Daniel Sánchez Muñoz (DSM) has held a PhD in History and the Arts from the University of Granada and a Diplôme d’Université in Ancient Languages (Sumerian, Akkadian) from the University of Strasbourg. As an FPU pre-doctoral research fellow in the Department of History and Musicology at the University of Granada (UGR) between 2015 and 2019, he undertook training and research placements at the universities of Würzburg (2017) and Leiden (2018). As a postdoctoral research fellow in the same department at the UGR between 2022 and 2023, he spent a year at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he collaborated on the ERC-Consolidator project ‘Ancient Mesopotamian Priestly Scholasticism’, led by Uri Gabbay. In 2025, he has been awarded both an Assistant Professorship in the Didactics of Musical Expression at the Soria Campus of the University of Valladolid and an European postdoctoral fellowship under the 2024 call for proposals of the European Commission’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme. After officially serving at the University of Valladolid during the 2025-2026 academic year, he joined the University of Huddersfield in September 1, 2026, to carry out his MSCA project entitled MUSICVIM (Musical Instruments as Conveyors of Visual Messages: The Case of Ancient Near Eastern Lutes). His research has focused on the Sumerian and Akkadian musical lexicon, the editing of cuneiform texts in these languages, and the interactions between musical traditions in antiquity. In addition to his work at the University of Granada, DSM has held teaching posts at the International University of Valencia, the Catholic University of Argentina, the Open Foundation of the University of Burgos, and the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Sciences of Murcia. On a more personal level, DSM is an amateur oboe player (with experience in symphonic orchestras and concert wind bands from Spain, The Netherlands, and Israel) and hiker.

Daniel's home country:

Spain

Where Daniel relocated from: 

Priego de Córdoba – Granada – Soria (Spain)

Other countries Daniel has lived in: 

Germany, Netherlands, and Israel

Daniel's contact details:   

Email Daniel at d.sanchezmunoz@hud.ac.uk