(Sacramento, CA, USA: March 16, 2011) The Linux Professional Institute (LPI), the world’s premier Linux certification organization (http://www.lpi.org) and Open University UK(http://www.open.ac.uk/) announced that students enrolled in Open University’s introductory Linux course will now be eligible for a promotional voucher to obtain the CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI certification. Students and IT professionals who earn their CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI certification are automatically eligible to apply for and receive their LPIC-1 certification.
Open University UK launched this voucher initiative following the successful introduction of their online distance education Linux course for undergraduate adult learners in May 2010. Over 1000 students completed this academic program last year which provides students with credits towards their honors degree. An additional 500 are expected to register for the May 2011 course offering.
“This initiative further demonstrates LPI’s willingness and longstanding history to work with industry and the academic sector to promote Linux professionalism and Open Source Software. We applaud Open University UK’s recognition of the value of professional certification and their efforts to make Linux education and employment opportunities accessible to their student body” said Jim Lacey, president and CEO of LPI.
“Our introductory course in Linux has proven to be very popular with adult learners and a substantial value-added has been their ability to pursue an industry recognized Linux certification following the completion of this online learning module. This benefit is greatly enhanced when one considers that in achieving their CompTIA Linux+ powered by LPI certification they will also be able to obtain first their LPIC-1 and than their Novell Certified Linux Administrator certification. As an educator who wants the best opportunity for employment for my students, I can’t help but applaud LPI on their leadership in promoting this industry cooperation in Linux certification,” said Andrew Smith, Linux Course Chair, Open University UK.
For more information on Open University UK’s introductory Linux course see: http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/t155.htm
The LPIC-1 certification program for Linux professionals has been accepted as a nationally recognized IT accreditation for college students at secondary schools and technical colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Scotland. For more information see: http://www.lpi.org/eng/about_lpi/what_s_new/lpi_recognized_by_uk_education_authorities
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 280,000 exams and 95,000 LPIC certifications around the world.
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.
