My name is Aleksandr, but you are more than welcome to call me Sasha. I am from Moscow, Russia, but the last three years I spent in Sydney. I just finished a Master of IT at UTS and decided to carry out research. I am interested in Learning Analytics and graduate employability in particular. My aim is helping graduates to find a perfect learning path for their desired careers.
I think I have a unique experience as a PhD student. I have been living in Sydney for three years, so it is not a new surrounding for me. At the same time, I am already a UTS alumnus. And I have been working with CIC for one year (July 17 was my first anniversary!). But I still face a lot of challenges.
I recognise that I need to tune my time management. As a first-year PhD student, I am throwing myself into seminars, workshops, networking events, different MOOC courses. I need to learn a lot to guarantee the quality of my research. At the same time, I am a part of a CIC professional technical team. I enjoy programming, and algorithmic puzzles are the best way to keep your mind sharp. Also, I am part of the UTS Kendo Team. And finally, I cannot forget about my family. My main challenge is harmonizing all elements of my life.
I have a diverse background. I studied mathematics and computer science, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public administration and law, have experience working as a developer, and conducted two research projects, one in Russia and another at UTS. I believe that all my abilities will enrich my research, but at the same time, I am still keen on developing my research skills.
Finally, research at CIC involves engaging with the scientific community. At the moment, I am planning conferences and seminars to attend, as well as how I can contribute to this community. All this is a new experience for me, and I look forward to having a chance to show the results of my research.
I am happy to be part of CIC and UTS. For over a year, CIC has been making me a developer. Now my task is to grow as a researcher under the CIC’s supervision. I am glad to collaborate with great people around me. Finally, I have a chance to contribute learning analytics community as a researcher.