Local grad earns top IT award

Kwantlen Polytechnic University Bachelor of Information Technology graduate, Minaz Jiwa has been named Canadian Regional Analyst of the Year by the Help Desk Institute (HDI).

After his manager’s nomination and a telephone interview for the B.C. Analyst of the Year award this past fall, Jiwa was selected by Help Desk B.C. as 2008/2009 Analyst of the Year. Once he won the provincial award, he was nominated as a candidate for the Analyst of the Year at the national level.

Last month, Jiwa was named the Canadian winner and in April, he will compete for the biggest prize of them all — the HDI Global Analyst of the Year.

Jiwa completed a two-year Computer Information System Diploma at Kwantlen and then continued on to earn a Bachelor of Information Technology degree. During his studies, Jiwa participated in two co-op work terms with WorkSafe B.C., and upon completion was offered a full-time position in November 2007.

Jiwa said: "Co-op enabled me to apply the skills I learned in the Bachelor of IT program while I was still finishing up my degree. Working at WorkSafe B.C. as a co-op student, I did not have to worry about graduating with a degree without IT work experience.

"Working in an office environment was of great benefit and gave me confidence very early in my career. Without co-op, I know I would not have as great of a stepping stone to a successful career in information technology."

"Minaz was and still is a great ambassador for Kwantlen’s CISY, Bachelor of Information Technology and co-op programs," said Shawn Erickson, co-operative education instructor at Kwantlen. "During his co-op work terms, he continuously exceeded expectations and was able to successfully blend his academic studies and work experience to truly prove why work-integrated learning is such a valuable component to a student’s education."

HDI is the world’s largest membership, training, and certification association for technical support professionals. Each year, HDI local chapters identify the industry’s top first-level support analyst for the award.