Linux Professional Institute and IOSN Introduce New Exam Proctor Program

LPI's affiliate in Korea, LPI-Korea (http://lpi-korea.org/), undertook training of 19 new proctors from the nations of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka to be followed by local exam labs throughout the next year--commencing on May 1 and 22, 2010 with scheduled exam labs in the Philippines. The IOSN was formed in 2003 as a network of Asian Pacific centers of excellence and is a long time collaborator with LPI. The IOSN is based at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Regional Center in Bangkok, Thailand and this recent initiative with LPI was supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC: http:www.idrc.ca) and the Aga Khan University (http://www.aku.edu).

"LPI continues to support initiatives to make our program accessible to numerous locations around the globe. In many regions there is a lack of traditional test centers and the best means of delivering our certification exams is through a network of trained and independent exam proctors. The interest in this locally-based, alternative and affordable form of testing delivery exemplifies the increasing popularity of LPI's certification program in many countries and the growing need for certified Linux professionals," said Jim Lacey, president and CEO of LPI. Mr. Lacey added that this new initiative is the result of a successful initial round of proctor training in 2005 for participants from Southeast Asia such that IOSN requested to expand the program to other countries this year. Mr. Lacey noted that last November LPI also became involved with a UNDP initiative to promote the adoption of Free and Open Source Software in the Middle East: http://www.lpi.org/eng/about_lpi/what_s_new/lpi_and_undp_une...

The 19 new LPI proctors for IOSN were trained in Bangkok, Thailand on February 3, 2010. Mr.Jihoon Lee of LPI-Korea provided the proctor training and LPI orientation during the 3rd Annual workshop for Pan Asia Networking and Collaboration for eHealth Applications (PANACeA:http://www.panacea-ehealth.net).

"Linux professionals are an important bedrock for the propagation of Free and Open Source Software in the developing world. As more people on this side of the world become proficient with Linux, there is greater demand for certification and recognition by an international body. LPI, as the world's most recognized vendor-neutral Linux certification, addresses this need," said Dr. Alvin B. Marcelo, director with IOSN ASEAN+3--one of the IOSN centers of excellence which organized and promoted the LPI proctor training program. Dr. Marcelo also explained that the proctors were eHealth researchers recruited from NGOs and universities in Asia who have an interest in Free and Open Source Software.

According to Chaitali Sinha, program officer at IDRC: "Timing the LPI course to coincide with the IDRC-supported workshop on eHealth research in Asia was a strategic decision to provide these researchers with an opportunity to learn more about LPI, and to contribute to building a team of certified Linux professionals to provide their expertise throughout Asia and beyond."

The Linux Professional Institute is globally supported by the IT industry, enterprise customers, community professionals, government entities and the educational community. LPI's certification program is supported by an affiliate network spanning five continents and is distributed worldwide in multiple languages in more than 7,000 testing locations. Since 1999, LPI has delivered over 230,000 exams and 75,000 LPIC certifications around the world.

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About the Linux Professional Institute:

The Linux Professional Institute promotes and certifies essential skills on Linux and Open Source technologies through the global delivery of comprehensive, top-quality, vendor-independent exams. Established as an international non-profit organization in September 1999 by the Linux community, the Linux Professional Institute continues to demonstrate recognized global leadership in the certification of Linux professionals. LPI advances the Linux and Open Source movement through strategic partners, sponsorships, innovative programs and community development activities. LPI's major financial sponsors are Platinum Sponsors IBM, Linux Journal, Linux Magazine, Novell, SGI, and TurboLinux as well as Gold Sponsors, HP and IDG.

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