NSJ enrols new IT Trainer
Maxwell sees online journalism as inevitable since technology is becoming more pervasive and cheaper by the day.
Highlights
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Maxwell Dickson now NSJ IT trainer
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Maxwell’s students will produce online publication
The Southern African Media Training Trust (NSJ) has signed up Maxwell Dickson to its list of multimedia/online journalism trainers. Maxwell, a national of Zimbabwe, holds a Masters degree in Information Technology from IHE Delft University, Netherlands. His specialization is Internet technologies and databases.
Opportunity
Maxwell believes that there is unlimitless opportunity through online journalism for NSJ to impact knowledge and skills to course participants. He plans to engage students in online publications as part of practical hands on training that he will offer on courses.
Challenges
Although Maxwell is aware of challenges in the area of online journalism training, he thinks they are surmountable. What is required is for IT people and journalists to work together to make online publications another success story.
As a new concept, online journalism requires awareness creation among NSJ stakeholders. Using his home country as an example, Maxwell pointed out that only few companies have taken on online journalism, most probably due to lack of expertise to create and maintain the website or because of constraints emanating from government regulations geared at monitoring online discussions.
Future
In spite of these limitations, Maxwell is an ardent believer in the future of online journalism. According to him, “online journalism is the route to take” if one considers the trends and advances in being made in technology. He is much more optimistic about its future expansion because “technology is becoming more pervasive and cheaper by the day.”
Background
NSJ is really delighted to have Maxwell on board. At 46, Maxwell has varied experiences in administration, training and business. He worked for 17 years in the Water Sector in Zimbabwe, IT Section. He lectured at Harare Polytechnic, Courseware Development Centre in Computer Science and Operations Research to Diploma Students. He also taught at the University of Zimbabwe, Harare, to Masters students in Databases.
