Linux Professional Institute Announces New Affiliates in Africa (Toronto, Canada: October 10, 2007) The Linux Professional Institute (LPI), the world's premier Linux certification organization ((http://www.lpi.org), announced new affiliates in East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania) and Nigeria.
"These two new affiliates are indicative of the growing importance of Linux and Open Source Software both in the field of education and IT capacity development in Africa," said John Meaney, LPI Area Operations Manager for EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa). Mr. Meaney noted that there was significant interest in the region in Linux professionalism and that he was involved in ongoing discussions with other potential affiliates for the Middle East and Africa. Representing LPI in East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania) will be the East African Centre for Open Source Software (EACOSS). EACOSS (http://www.eacoss.org) is an IT training centre devoted to promoting the development of Open Source IT professionals in the East African region. EACOSS is located in Kampala, Uganda at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communication Technology. "The adoption of Linux in East Africa as well as migration from proprietary platforms to OSS platforms has always been hampered by the absence of skilled and qualified personnel within the region. EACOSS trusts that in promoting the internationally-recognized vendor neutral LPI certification we will see a substantial increase in qualified IT personnel--and assure employers, clients and other stakeholders that they are entrusting their OSS based IT infrastructure to professionals who meet an international skills standard," said George W. Lule, Managing Director, EACOSS. Leading LPI activities in Nigeria will be academic institution of Lifeforte (http://www.lifeforte.com) located in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Lifeforte is a member of AISA (Association of International Schools in Africa) and is recognized as one of Africa’s foremost private, junior and high school establishments. "LPI's vendor neutral Linux training and certification is a solid foundation for competence and relevance in both general computer literacy and the ICT profession. Introducing the LPI program into our high school and university curriculum will educate and empower the whole younger generation concerning Open Source Software and accelerate the shift from compulsory, expensive, proprietary software to having the choice of Open Source. This, in turn, will make the acquisition and application of computers much more affordable and widespread--leading to tremendous intellectual and economic development in developing countries, like Nigeria, and others in the West African sub region," said Olubi Johnson, Chairman, Lifeforte International Schools. The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) is globally supported by the IT industry, enterprise and professionals and within government and the educational community. LPI's certification program is delivered worldwide in multiple languages at over 7,000 testing locations and is supported by an affiliate network spanning five continents. Since the programs inception, LPI has delivered over 155,000 exams and 47,000+ LPIC certifications around the world. -30- About 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 1999 by the Linux community, the Linux Professional Institute continues to demonstrate recognized global leadership in the certification of Linux professionals while advancing 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, Hewlett-Packard and IDG. -- Scott Lamberton Director of Communications Linux Professional Institute Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.lpi.org Telephone: +1-416-666-1574 _______________________________________________ Linux Professional Institute media mailing list Contact: Scott Lamberton, Director of Communications Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Telephone: +1-416-666-1574 To Subscribe or unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "media unsubsribe"; in the subject line or do so directly at: http://list.lpi.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/media _______________________________________________ lpi-announce mailing list [email protected] http://list.lpi.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/lpi-announce
