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Doha, Qatar: March 6, 2012) The Linux Professional Institute (LPI), the world's premier Linux certification organization (http://www.lpi.org), announced an innovative LPI certification and training project in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU: http://www.itu.int) throughout the 22 countries of the League of Arab States (LAS: http://arableagueonline.org/).
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The three year ITU project, called "Establishment of Training Centres in Linux Curricula and Certification", will establish 132 Linux "train-the-trainer" centers on all three levels of Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC: http://www.lpi.org/linux-certifications/programs) with 13,200 direct beneficiaries on an approximate budget of close to US $5,850,000. The project is part of the ITU's global development program of ICT capacity building through the establishment of Internet Training Centers (ITC: http://academy.itu.int/moodle/mod/resource/view.php?id=1737). The ITU has established 79 such ITC centers in 65 nations to date.
"LPI welcomes this partnership initiative with the ITU within the League of Arab States and we are pleased to assist them in their efforts to further develop the IT workforce in the region. This is in line with our mandate as an institute to promote professional standards and the global adoption of Linux and Open Source Software," said Jim Lacey, president and CEO of LPI. Mr. Lacey made the announcement from the ITU's "Connect Arab Summit 2012" in Doha, Qatar: the summit is the third in a series of ITU's "Connect the World" Regional Summits--the first, "Connect Africa Summit" was held in Kigali, Rwanda in October 2007 which was followed by the Connect CIS Summit in Minsk, Republic of Belarus in November 2009. Following the "Connect Arab Summit" the ITU will host a "Connect the Americas" summit in Panama City, Panama in July 2012.
During the "Connect Arab Summit", Mr. Lacey also participated in a summit round table on "EDUCATE. CREATE. EMPLOY" with government policy makers and other representatives of multilateral organizations.
“In today’s knowledge-based society, the success of youth in shaping the future of society will depend heavily on having the appropriate skills. Access to ICTs is an essential component in our lives today, but to be truly empowered an individual should be provided with the skills to make use of that access. Open source tools will greatly increase the potential of ICTs to educate and to open access to employment. I am therefore delighted with this key partnership with LPI,” said Mr. Brahima Sanou, Director, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau.
"We have seen a growing interest for Linux and Open Source software from governments and corporations throughout the region. The time is ripe to drive the Open Source concept," said Feras Abou Shackra, Managing Director of LPI-Middle East. Mr. Feras noted that LPI had recently undertaken training and certification projects with the ITU in Syria, Palestine and Yemen. In late 2011, LPI also worked with the ITU on similar initiatives in Laos, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
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 at more than 7,000 testing locations. Since 1999, LPI has delivered over 300,000 exams and 100,000 LPIC certifications around the world.
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About the Linux Professional Institute:
The Linux Professional Institute provides a global framework, industry leadership and other services to enhance, develop and further lifelong professional careers in Linux and Open Source technologies. Established as an international non-profit organization in September 1999 by the Linux community, the Linux Professional Institute continues to demonstrate recognized global leadership, direction and skill standards for those who pursue a career in Linux and Open Source technology. 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.
About the International Telecommunication Union
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology. For over 145 years, ITU has coordinated the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoted international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, worked to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and established the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to new-generation wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, satellite-based meteorology and converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world. Full Story |
