Jackson Nghaamwa - PostGraduate Certificate In Informatics (Information Systems Audit)
Brief: Top performer in the PostGraduate Certificate In Informatics (Information Systems Audit)
Share your achievement/success story in detail. 2018, I have decided to do my postgraduate studies by studying a PostGraduate Certificate in Informatics (Information Systems Audit). It was a year back after I completed my undergraduate studies degree in Informatics. I could not believe it when I received a phone call from NUST that i was the best student in Informatics Honours (PostGraduate Certificate in Informatics).
Tell us more about your journey leading up to this moment. When I started my undergraduate studies in Informatics, It has been my dream to become an Information Systems (IS) Auditor and last year I made a big decision to study Information Systems audit. It was hard for me to get enrolled for this program as I had very little industry work experience as opposed to 2 years of industry experience required for one to study this program. Initially my plan was to study Honours business Informatics then later changed my mind to do Information Systems Audit on the last day of registration since I wanted to specialize in auditing.
I was fortunate enough that there was only a place of one student left and I was allowed to register for this program. I was unemployed that time which is one of the things that motivated me to do my postgraduate studies and it was such a relief for me as you wouldn't really feel the pressure of being unemployed while studying. 4 months later I got employed at University of California San Francisco’s (UCSF’s) Global Programs for Research and Training as a Data Analyst through NUST Cooperative Education Unit (CEU). It was not easy balancing work with school especially that most of the times I used to work away from Windhoek but I managed my time wisely through prioritizing so I balance work with school at the same time. Though I missed some lessons while working away from Windhoek, I always made sure that the effort I put into my studies was maximal.
What does this achievement mean to you and how will you use it to motivate others? I wish there was a better way of expressing how I feel about this achievement, this achievement really means a lot to me and I believe it would possibly open up opportunities for me towards achieving my desired goals. This is just a milestone of my career goals and more is yet to be achieved through hard working and determination. It is through this achievement, I got an opportunity to build my network with ICT companies like Huawei ( award sponsor) that plays a vital role in digital transformation in Namibia. I would like to motivate other students out there that a dream is definitely achievable through hard work, dedication and the effort we put in, is through this we keep winning.
What are your plans for the future? Since I am very passionate about raising Cybersecurity awareness in Namibia, my future plans involves becoming a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and become a member of Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) Namibian chapter. The sky's the limit and I believe is all achievable through hard work and determination.
Share with us your success quote! “A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes effort, determination and hard work."