Hi, Your Digital Guru here.
My name is Shiva, full name Shiva J. Maharaj. Please allow me to tell you a bit about how I became the Digital Guru, assisting many around the world to safely and responsibly live, work and play in the Digital World. Being a Father, Educator and Technologist were main contributing factors to me being the Digital Guru.
Digital Guru Shiva J. Maharaj
I have always been fascinated by technology. My professional journey began with qualifications in Telecommunications Engineering in the late 1990’s. When the year 2000 came around, the Y2K bug problem compelled me to specialise in Data Communications and later Information Communications Technology. In those early days, I felt like I never got quality tuition to prepare for my Information Technology (IT) certifications. I decided that I might be able to make a difference by providing the best IT tuition, second to none. Hence, my first Training company was registered in June 1999. There was no looking back from there I became a full-fledged Educator disseminating whatever I knew to enrich the Digital lives of students of all Ages.
It is said that children change your life. In my case, my children chartered my career in a new direction (Read the details about how on the Digital Parenting Guide page). As a parent, my focus on keeping my kids safe online prompted me to assist all parents to do the same. I became an advocate for Online Safety and represent my beautiful twin isle, Trinidad and Tobago, on a Global scale. I literally put my country on the map as head of the Trinidad and Tobago Safer Internet Day Committee. Our company ICT Expertz Limited has also been promoting National Cyber Security Awareness Month and Data Privacy Day as NCSAM Champion organisation for the past few years.
Now that you understand my passion that drives me, I also acquired some qualifications and certifications to qualify me as a Digital Guru. When I made the choice to become an Educator I secured a full scholarship for my first degree, a Bachelors of Education at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). I then read for a post-graduate degree, a Master of Arts in Technical Vocational Education and Training and Workforce Development (I know, it’s a long programme title, right). These continue to guide me in producing top-notch quality training material and courses. I am also very honoured to now be an Instructor in the Master of Education programme in Educational Technology at UTT, the institute where I started my educational quest.
Digital Guru, Shiva J. Maharaj Qualifications (2017)
My Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Computer Studies with specialisations in Information Technology (IT) Support and E-commerce Development from one of the top United Kingdom (UK) qualifications awarding body, NCC Education is the backbone to my evolving technical competencies. This is supplemented with leading Industry IT Certifications such as Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+ and Network+ certifications. In 2017, I was the first in the Caribbean to participate in the Logical Operations CyberSAFE Train the Trainer training and achieve the CyberSAFE credential with a perfect score.
Digital Guru, Shiva J. Maharaj IT Certifications (2017)
As you can see, since 1998 I has merged my passion for both Education and Technology to pioneer many innovative cutting edge technology solutions in my native country of Trinidad and Tobago. These solutions all make learning easier and more affordable for all ages, from kids and employees to grandparents, regardless of their educational background or experience. Many institutes have invited me to host and present at hundreds of workshops, seminars, conferences and courses for primary schools, secondary schools and universities which have earned me the title the:
