The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) has announced an innovative LPI certification and training project in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union throughout the 22 countries of the League of Arab States.
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 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. The ITU has established 79 such ITC centers in 65 nations to date.
"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 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, MD, LPI-Middle East.
