c. CHANDRA /
A LITTLE WINDOW INTO MY WORLD

Chandra
Shekhar
Dhungana.

Researcher · Salesperson · Manager · Curious thinker

A little window into my life, my research and what I’m working on next.

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A curious mind. A practical approach.

About

I’m at my best when I’m making sense of a problem, connecting with people or helping a team find direction. I enjoy research because there is always more to discover, sales because understanding people matters, and management because I like helping people move forward together. I like to understand why something matters before deciding how to approach it. From there, I organize my thinking, prioritize the next steps and work with others towards a practical solution. I’m confident in what I can contribute, but always open to a better idea.

“I can do anything I put my mind to.”

Strengths

I am self-aware and open to different perspectives. I understand my limitations and look for ways to push beyond them. In difficult situations, I step back, assess what matters and organise my next actions.

Weakness

I can struggle to stay motivated by tasks that do not interest me. Clear deadlines help me focus and get moving.

Skills

SalesCustomer serviceBasic Python and JavaScriptPrompt preparation for Codex and Claude CodeManagementTeam leadershipBasic LLM engineering

Turning intent into configuration.

Master of ICT Research student at Melbourne Institute of Technology, Sydney. Thesis 1 completed — HD.

Designing a Pipeline for Natural Language Driven Network Configuration using LLMs and Agentic AI

I am researching how LLMs can translate natural-language requests into Cisco IOS and Juniper Junos configurations. My work explores fine-tuning, retrieval-augmented generation and tool-assisted validation to improve accuracy while keeping computational costs practical.

LLMsNetwork configurationAgentic AI

Completed work

Thesis 1 covers the literature review, problem domain, research gaps, methodology and initial findings.

Next stage

Further experiments will bring together fine-tuning, RAG, agentic workflows and Batfish validation.

Research timeline

  1. Completed

    Thesis 1 — Literature review, research gaps, methodology and initial findings.

  2. In progress

    Paper writing — Developing a manuscript with the goal of submitting to a Q1 journal.

  3. Planned

    Thesis 2 — Final implementation and evaluation of LLM fine-tuning, RAG, agentic AI and Batfish validation.

  4. Planned

    Further paper — Preparing another manuscript based on the research findings.

  5. Planned

    PhD preparation — Exploring research directions and preparing applications.

People, service & a little night shift.

My work experience spans sales and hospitality because I support my own education and living costs. I currently work nights so I can keep my daytime hours available for research.

Hotel Night Manager

TFE Hotels

January 2026–Present

Full-time · January 2026–Present. As Hotel Night Manager at TFE Hotels, I lead the overnight team, prioritise operations and make decisions throughout the night. The role draws on leadership, clear communication and sound judgement while I keep my daytime hours available for research.

Night Auditor

25hours Olympia

September 2025–January 2026

Handled overnight auditing, financial reconciliation, reporting and guest support, with experience from the hotel’s pre-opening stage.

View full experience

Responsibility – Assisting with all night auditing tasks such as – Reports documentation and emailing to respective departments, Balancing venue POS to OPERA reconciliation, PM account Management, Open folio follow-ups, Arrival – Departure charges and reservation notes verification, trace follow-ups, Daily Handover-log management and acknowledgement and more. Check-in-Checkout guests, follow up guest requests and coordinate with Housekeeping for smooth service. Achievements: Understood and got fluent in System, Operation and Guest Service in short period of time.

Operational and pre-opening experience

Working at 25hours Olympia (Accor property), one of the finest boutique hotels with huge popularity and a strong brand image, especially in Europe and Dubai, gave me deeper exposure to hotel operations. From pre-opening training to the initial phase of a challenging opening, I gained valuable hands-on experience. I was personally hired around 5–6 weeks prior to the opening date and was trained in the system, daily operations, and brand values to align with the team vibe and ensure a smooth opening. During the pre-opening phase, we assisted the team by decorating the front desk and supporting housekeeping in decorating rooms as per the planogram. We were also given multiple tours of the unfinished building, which helped us gain a deeper understanding of the building layout and design.

From the day we were open, night team operated without Night manager for about 2 months. Me and my colleagues drafted all tasks needs to be done according to dynamic requirements of different departments. Balancing finances of 4 different venues, forwarding reports to specific departments, creating SOPs (cause of initial stage of opening), insuring smooth Arrival and Departure, VIP listing, Excell format creation for different lists (NoShow, Availability of Week, Events, and more ) with alignment of brand value (colour code, Email formats, Brand slogans ) were some of tasks our night team seemed to successfully accomplish.

Sales Representative and Brand Ambassador

Nespresso

June 2025–Present

Demonstrated coffee machines and supported sales at retail partners and corporate events.

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Responsibility: Demonstration and Sales of coffee machines in Retail partners (Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, etc.) and sometimes Commercial Machine Demos on Event Venues (Doltone house) on special corporate events. Achieved great sales results (specially on busy times such as black Friday and boxing day) and were able to gradually improve in coffee testing quality.

Brand Ambassador at JB Hi-Fi International Airport

Bose

May 2024–June 2025

Represented Bose in a busy airport retail environment, demonstrating products and supporting sales.

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Represent Bose in a high-traffic store, driving sales. Achieved record-breaking sales, exceeding targets, and impressing managers

Sales Representative in North Sydney

Visa

January–May 2024

Supported Visa’s retail presence by placing POS stickers and responding to service enquiries.

View full experience

Deployed POS stickers and handled Visa service queries. Recognized as a top performer in NSW.

Brand Ambassador at JB Hi-Fi Town Hall

Sony

November 2023–January 2024

Promoted selected Sony devices and supported product sales in store.

View full experience

Drove sales of targeted devices in JB Hi-fi. Achieved Best Performer in NSW for targeted device sales.

Sales Consultant in Randwick

Vodafone

August 2022–October 2023

Supported sales, customer relationships, store operations and issue resolution.

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Drove sales, maintained customer relations, handled store functions, led team strategies, and resolved issues. Achievement: Got 100% in misery shopper within 2 and half months of getting into sales and customer service.

Always learning.

Melbourne Institute of Technology, Sydney

Master of ICT Research · Currently enrolled

Thesis 1 — HD

Torrens University Australia

Bachelor of Information Technology · AI electives

Completed

Away from the desk.

GamingMusicMoviesAnimeSocial hangoutsTravelling

Ideas made tangible.

2022–2024 Projects

Natural Language Processing and Computer Vision

Implemented speech recognition and face detection in Python, exploring performance under different audio and lighting conditions.

View full project

1. Natural Language Processing and Computer Vision Problem Sets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ue8qnghkkoaiQyvmIVMZcA1LRDP1FXZn?usp=drive_link

This project was the final assessment for the Application of Artificial Intelligence (AAI202) course. It involved implementing speech recognition and face detection using Python. The Google Speech Recognition API was used to convert spoken language into text, while the Haar Cascade Classifier identified faces in video frames. Testing showed high accuracy in controlled environments but faced challenges with noise and low light, highlighting areas for improvement.

Exploring MLaaS, BigML and Edge Impulse

Explored TinyML digit recognition, music-preference classification with BigML and knife detection using Edge Impulse.

View full project

2. Exploring MLaaS, BigML, and Edge Impulse for AI-Driven Predictions: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Zw0yWDZRpRMBWHrkY9YLiBxBuYZ8Fo6B?usp=drive_link

In this journey: I conducted research on implementing machine learning for handwritten digit recognition using TinyML. This study explores the use of TensorFlow Lite and the MNIST dataset to develop an optimized model for deployment on resource-constrained devices like the Raspberry Pi Pico.

I researched Machine Learning as a Service (MLaaS) using the BigML platform. I explored the entire machine learning pipeline, from data preprocessing to model evaluation, focusing on a classification task to predict user preferences for music tracks.

I developed a knife detection model using Edge Impulse.

Cleaning as Aussies — CAOZS

Developed a cleaning-business concept, covering business planning, marketing, branding and the website as the sole developer.

View full project

Cleaning as Aussies (CAOZS) Website: www.caozs.com Project Link: https://github.com/123epetra/Clean-Aussie

This was one of my first Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) projects. I wanted to explore the cleaning industry because I observed numerous inefficiencies that could be resolved through critical thinking and proper planning, such as subcontracting chains that break trust, transparency, and job effectiveness.

I was the sole developer for this project, handling everything from business planning to technical solutions. I created the business plan, marketing strategy, name, logo, website, and all necessary components.

Rise Up

Developed a platform concept for researchers, investors, skilled professionals and entrepreneurs to represent their work and collaborate on ideas.

View full project

Rise Up (Researchers, Investors, Skilled Professionals, Entrepreneurs) Backend (Django App): https://github.com/Epetra1/Dream_RiseUp_django Frontend (React App): https://github.com/Epetra1/Dream_RiseUp_react This is an ongoing project aimed at building a platform for innovation. It enables entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, skilled professionals, and enthusiasts to collaborate and develop new ideas and projects to create a better world.

The core purpose of this platform is to effectively document and represent various entities—such as businesses, individuals, ideas, companies, books, and more, so that their digital presence is an accurate reflection of reality, unlike social media, where representation is often more fantasy than fact.

HarvestHub

Contributed to business planning and technical problem-solving for a platform connecting farmers directly with consumers.

View full project

HarvestHub https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ALW5fD-l3rJAIwKv1uz1VFoNXuuGWmMb?usp=drive_link

This WIL project was developed as part of our AWT assessment. It presents a solution to food waste reduction, increasing farmers' profitability, and controlling costs by creating a platform where farmers and consumers can trade directly without middlemen.

My contribution focused on business planning and addressing technical challenges.

2025–2026 Research Focus

Designing a Pipeline for Natural Language Driven Network Configuration using LLMs and Agentic AI

My recent focus is LLMs and agentic AI for network configuration.

See the Research section for the project overview, timeline and thesis.

Explore the research ↑

Let’s talk

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