Wikus Van Pareen
Bachelor of Science
Alexander Kashpir
Unistart papers gave Alexander Kashpir the push to enrol at university early, where he’s embraced his interest in algorithm analysis and structured creativity in coding.
Hamilton
CMS Prize for Excellence
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Once Alexander Kashpir found his calling in computer science, university couldn’t come fast enough. Rather than wait and finish out his final years of high school, he enrolled in two of Waikato’s Unistart papers while still in Year 12.
“It wasn’t hard,” he says, “but there was a lot to do. For me, it was sort of like an extension of my hobby with programming.”
The papers captured his interest, and he chose to enrol in a Bachelor of Computer Science rather than return to school for Year 13. A Computer Science Undergraduate Scholarship and the opportunity to stay close to home solidified his decision to stay at Waikato.
One of the highlights of his study was COMPX301 Design and Analysis of Algorithms in his second year, taught by Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences Dr Tony Smith. The paper focused on analysing algorithms and concepts which appealed to his interests in both programming and mathematics.
Alexander admits he’s not much of a writer – one of the reasons he chose to leave high school early – but appreciates the unique kind of creativity needed in the Bachelor of Computer Science degree.
In computer science you can still be creative but in a structured way. You design the code for what you want your programme to do, but there are metrics to assess your design against.
He encourages others to seek out their own opportunities when it comes to something they’re passionate about. Starting full-time study instead of completing high school didn’t seem like a possibility until his high school teacher Robert Bain approached the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences. A successful overseas exchange application was also made after he saw a poster in the department and enquired.
Grateful for the opportunities he’s been given, Alexander’s approach to navigating the inevitable days of unmotivation is to focus on the bigger picture instead.
“Sometimes you have to do it for tomorrow you. Because tomorrow you’ll wake up and remember that you love what you do.”
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