Biography
Philip Ciufo graduated from the University of Wollongong with a
B.E. (Hons) in Electrical Engineering in 1990 whilst also completing
an Industry Cadetship. In 1991 he joined the University as Research
Associate where he worked on several research projects and provided
engeering support to many of the research programs within the School
of Electrical Computer and Telecommunications Engineering. He obtained
an M.E. (Hons) in Electrical Engineering in 1993. He joined the
academic staff of the University after completing his Ph.D. in 2002.
The title of his thesis was "Magnetic Modelling and Sensorless Control
of the Synchronous Reluctance Machine". Philip also had various
stints in industry as an Electrical Engineer before returning to
academia in 2007.
It was with deep sadness to all who knew him that Philip
succumbed to cancer in February 2018 after a year long battle.
In a world of increasing
specialisation Phil was a unique and skilled ‘all-rounder’
whose technical skills spanned wide areas of electrical engineering
and who has made research and teaching contributions across
electrical machines and power, electronics, computing and telecommunications.
He was at home both in academia and in industry.
Phil was a strong and empathetic advocate for the well-being
of students. His actions were governed by his strongly held and
principled views about the responsibilities of academics to
provide students with good support and a high quality and
industrially relevant curriculum. He led by example and, long
before it became fashionable, he initiated several student-centred
projects which he mentored with great success supported by his
exceptional expertise.
Phil was instrumental in establishing the present world class
teaching labs in power engineering at UOW. He played a significant
role in initiating and managing Masters and PhD level research
projects as a member of the Power Engineering group and was a
key member of the present Australian Power Quality and Reliability
Centre (APQRC). He worked hard to ensure that the power
engineering teaching and research activities moved forward
and that APQRC continued to grow.
With typical unselfishness Phil volunteered often to contribute
to School and Faculty business.
Phil is remembered for his passionate, strongly articulated,
common sense views on life in general as well as on teaching
and research issues and for his practical, forthright and honest
approaches and contributions to the many issues faced by Academia
and its interactions with students, Industry and the professions.
His infectious enthusiasm came through in every facet of his
life—his pride in and love of his family, his devotion to honesty
and principled behaviours, and even in his energetic bicycle
riding amazing the more sedentary of his friends.
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