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Sunset of Master the Mainframe, Dawn of IBM Z Xplore

By Salisu Ali posted Mon January 10, 2022 11:39 AM

  
My name is Salisu Ali, a self-taught developer, IBM MTM Regional winner 2017 and a full time medical student in Nigeria.

I can't help it but pay my last respect to Master the Mainframe as it finally close down. It is one that should be cherished, for it has helped me and many other students in their mainframe journey.

IBM MTM was the first global student contest I came across in 2017, less than a year after I stated learning what technology/Software development is all about. It was open to all student irrespective of their course of study, I was happy it was.

To my surprise, the contest was beginner friendly and I was able to get along with the instructions. The final challenge of Part 3 gave me the freedom to apply what I learnt from the contest to build any project of my choice. I extended the template project given as a starter. I was happy I wrote something in COBOL and I could run it. I was so happy with what I build that I had to record it, Unfortunately, I lost the video last year.

I was excited when I woke up some months later after submission to discover that I was one of the winners of IBM MTM 2017. The prize of attending IBM Head office and THINK Conference in Johannesburg, the travel change that I used to buy my Arduino starter kit have established a clear influence in my mainframe journey and learning about tech in general.

I would like share with you that all the things you know and love so much about Master the Mainframe and more is offered through the new learning platform IBM Z Xplore, that launched in Sept 2021. I encourage learners to join this new platform to continue your learning experience. This learning platform is open to all learners - students, returners, reskillers, life-long learners - anyone!

As I look back, I am thankful I gained Mainframe skills - it got me a mentorship at the open mainframe project in 2020. I am currently undergoing an IBM SME mentorship, thanks to @SUDHARSANA SRINIVASAN and Shooting Stars foundation as a raffle winner at the IBM Z Datathon hosted by Shooting Stars Foundation in Sept 2021.
I would like to share my Special Thanks to @Matthew Cousens, @Misty Decker, @TROY CRUTCHER and @Ross Mauri.

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Comments

Salisu Ali
Mon January 10, 2022 01:25 PM

Thanks @SUDHARSANA SRINIVASAN. Have a great 2022 as well!​

SUDHARSANA SRINIVASAN
Mon January 10, 2022 11:58 AM

Salisu, you are an inspiration to students globally. Thank you for sharing your journey and passion for IBM Z. It is such a pleasure working with you. Wishes for a wonderful 2022!