Aha moments and microelectronics: An engineer’s path from UP to the world stage
When Anthony Gaskell first arrived at the University of Pretoria (UP), he thought his future lay in Mechanical Engineering. But one module – Electrical Engineering (EIR 211) – unexpectedly shifted his perspective. While many of his classmates saw it as a difficult requirement, Gaskell embraced it as a doorway into a different way of thinking. It was in that moment that he realised his heart was more aligned with circuits than engines.
“I spent more of my childhood tinkering with computers and household gadgets than bicycles and engines,” he laughs. That realisation led him to switch to Electronic Engineering, a move that required dedication, late nights, and the courage to take on extra modules to avoid delaying his studies. By teaching himself Linear Systems over the summer holidays and relying on friends for mentorship, he managed to complete two years’ worth of modules in a single year – all while excelling academically.
His determination paid off. Not only did he make the switch seamlessly, but he went on to consistently rank as one of the top-performing students in both Mechanical and Electronic Engineering. In 2013, he graduated with a distinction (Golden Key) in Electronic Engineering (BEng) and received the Louis van Biljon Prize for finishing second in his class. He followed this with a BEng (Hons) in Microelectronic Engineering at UP’s Carl and Emily Fuchs Institute for Microelectronics, under the supervision of Professor Tinus Stander.
Finding balance in the bustle of student life
Behind every award, achievement, and “aha!” moment in the labs was a student who valued balance. Gaskell says that balance came from his residence life at House Mopanie (now Mopane).
“My environment in House Mopanie was my biggest support,” he recalls. “Most of my group projects were with fellow residents – there’s no easier group to work with than the one living two doors down.”
Life at Mopanie wasn’t all work. Residence life provided not only a strong support network but also the chance to engage in leadership roles, sports and social events that shaped him as much as his textbooks did.
He fondly remembers rugby championships, themed evenings, countless late-night “kuiers” (hangouts), and winning the Residence of the Year award multiple times. He and his residence friends even built a space shuttle float for UP RAG Day of Hope in his final year – a float that nearly fell apart when the automation system blew every fuse the night before. “It was complete chaos to fix, but somehow we pulled it off and still won the next day!”
Balancing the demands of Electronic Engineering – a field known for its heavy practical component – with an active social life taught him one of his most valuable lessons: “Success doesn’t come from isolating yourself. It comes from community, collaboration and finding joy in the journey.”
Lessons that travel the world
Gaskell’s UP journey wasn’t confined to Pretoria. In 2010, as part of the UP chapter of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE UP, now known as Enactus UP), his team became the South African SIFE national champions and represented the University at the SIFE World Cup in Los Angeles. There, he witnessed the incredible diversity of global problem-solving. “The winners that year, the French University in Egypt, showed me that the challenges we face and the solutions we create are deeply shaped by context. But the drive and initiative are universal.”
That global mindset shaped a career that has since spanned South Africa, Taiwan and the United States. After completing his Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree at the Georgia Institute of Technology, he gained international experience with ResonanceDx Inc and TSMC Arizona, through which he trained in Taiwan for two years. Today he is a Design Technology Co-optimization Engineer at Micron Technology in Idaho, USA, working at the cutting edge of semiconductor development.
He lives by UP’s motto: Make today matter. “There’s no time like the present. Write that first line of code, draw that first design. In a fast-paced industry like semiconductors, there’s no room to let opportunities slip by.”
Looking ahead, he is excited about the challenge of designing microchips that are both faster and more energy efficient – a puzzle that lies at the heart of the AI revolution.
Inspiring the next generation
His advice to current UP students is simple but powerful: be willing to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Quoting futurist Alvin Toffler, he reminds young engineers that adaptability is the true skill of the 21st century. “I caught up with my peers in Electronic Engineering through self-study, and even in high school, I taught myself an extra subject. That ability to teach yourself, adapt and start again is invaluable.”
But Gaskell’s story is not just about academic excellence and global career success – it’s also about giving back. A proud scholarship recipient during his time at UP, he is now committed to supporting the Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s Scholarship Fund to help the next generation of students. He has also offered to mentor engineering students, sharing the lessons of resilience, community and innovation that shaped his own path.
He remains excited about UP’s leadership in innovation, particularly through initiatives such as the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution South Africa (C4IR South Africa) in partnership with the World Economic Forum. He believes these platforms will provide students with the opportunities to engage meaningfully with emerging technologies while building networks that span the globe.
Even as his career takes him to new continents, Gaskell remains deeply connected to his Tuks roots. His story is a reminder that success is not just about perfect grades or late nights in the lab, but about finding a rhythm between hard work, friendship and personal growth. “I hope current students see that it’s possible to push yourself academically while still making time for friendships, fun and leadership opportunities. Those moments of balance made my UP journey unforgettable – and they shaped the person I am today.”
As he reflects on his road less travelled, his message to every UP student is clear: choose passion over prestige, embrace challenges with resilience, and never stop making today matter.