Meet Dr. Jeff Gosper

Deputy Director, Director of Higher Education Programmes – Study Centre Sydney

Adjunct Senior Lecturer and Associate Course Co-ordinator for BIT and MIT CSU

How long have you worked at the CSU Study Centre Sydney?

I’ve been at the CSU Study Centre Sydney since 2006 however I have been involved with the delivery of higher education programs for over two decades now.

Tell me about yourself and what drives you?

I’m driven by the rewards I gain from educating others and seeing young people develop their skills and confidence as they move through their degree. I get enjoyment when a student understands what at first seemed to be a difficult concept and then watching these same students use this new knowledge in new and interesting ways.

How did you get to where you are today?

I spent eight years at the University of Sydney where I completed my bachelor’s degree and after winning the University Medal for Science I was invited to undertake my PhD in Science. I then worked for a number of years as a research scientist for CSIRO (Australia’s peak government science organisation) before heading over to the UK to continue my career as an academic. It was while I was in the UK that I first developed my passion for IT – I’ve been very fortunate as I have been both an academic and worked as a software consultant servicing several global pharmaceutical companies so I feel I can bring this experience into the class room – I always find students relate better to real life experiences than just abstract concepts.

In your opinion, why should students choose to study at the CSU Study Centres?

In a single word our “lecturers” – we are extremely fortunate to have high quality professionals teaching staff on our programs who are passionate about what and how they teach. The CSU Study Centers provide more opportunity for students to interact with and question their lecturers than most other universities and I think the students really benefit from this smaller more personal environment.

What are your hobbies? What do you do on the weekends?

Apart from my three kids (they keep me busy most weekends) I am also very interested in video production and editing – so most weekends you can find me making videos of sporting and other events. Ask me some time as I am always happy to show students my handiwork!

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever been to and why?

I’d have to say Shanghai – it’s an amazing place where world cultures meet and excel – I’ll never forget my first ride on the MAGLEV ultra high speed train – truly an incredible lively city.

What advice would you give students who are planning to come to Australia? What should they be prepared for?

Education is about learning and changing as a person and for this you need an open mind. Australia is full of different cultures and opportunities to learn from your friends, class mates and teachers. Interact as much as you can within class, by doing so you will learn much more from your teachers.

Finally, remember that Sydney is a great city and that it will be different to your home so make the most of your time spent with us.

Qualifications

• CertIV AWT (KVB)
• CertIV TAA (HOSTEC)
• Cert Ed Stud (CoT LONDON)
• BSc Hon (SYD)
• MSC (KCL)
• PhD (SYD)

Professional

• Member of the Australian Computer Society