Linux Professional Institute Announces Regional Program for Latin America (Porto Alegre, Brazil: April 13, 2007) The Linux Professional Institute (LPI), the world's premier Linux certification organization (http://www.lpi.org), announced a new regional strategy for Latin America to promote Linux professionalism and Open Source certification. LPI made the announcement at the 8th International Free Software Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil (http://fisl.org.br).
Jose Carlos Gouveia, Area Operations Manager for Latin America, described the new program would be a “made in Latin America” strategy to further LPI's existing Regional Enablement Initiative (REI). The regional program would focus on making LPI certification and exams more accessible through the creation of test sites with training partners, the enhancement of a region-wide proctor network, and the development of new affiliates throughout the region. Jim Lacey, President and CEO of LPI credited Mr. Gouveia with the success of LPI's REI program to date in Latin America: "We continue to refine our Regional Enablement Initiative by ensuring we have knowledgeable, dedicated people who live in the region where we are focusing our efforts. Jose Carlos has demonstrated success by growing our training partner network in Latin America from a handful of partners to over 20 organizations in less then a year. We are now beginning to focus new affiliates on implementing promotional programs of their own." Mr. Lacey noted in particular the successful LPI program in Brazil with affiliates 4Linux (http://www.lpibrasil.com.br/), Senac (http://www.sp.senac.br/), and Impacta (http://www.impacta.com.br/) and training partners X-25 (http://www.x25.com.br/), Consultix (http://www.consultix.com.br/), EFTI (http://www.efti.com.br/), 3Way Networks (http://www.3way.com.br/), Linux Paratodos (http://www.factor.com.mx/), New Horizons (http://www.newhorizons.com/), Utah (http://www.utah.com.br/) and Training 2000 (http://www.training2000.com.br/). Mr. Lacey also noted LPI's recent announcement at LinuxWorld Mexico of new training partners in Mexico (http://www.lpi.org/en/lpi/english/news/news/lpi_announces_approved_training_partner_in_mexico) and the recent addition of an affiliate in Peru. Rodolfo Gobbi of 4Linux welcomed the emphasis on the increased availability of LPI exams in Latin America: "Outside of the larger urban centers, such as Sao Paulo and Brasilia for example, it is very difficult to find places to take LPI exams. In enlarging the proctor network LPI will enable the delivery of paper exams throughout the whole region, which will assure the availability of Linux professional certification.” Daniel Marson Guedes, Manager of Senac (Sao Paulo), noted that the partnership with LPI allowed the development of local training programs for LPIC-1 and LPIC-2. Specific training programs will be available from May to July 2007. In addition, Senac will be launching a “LPI Road Show” throughout Brazil which will provide a number of presentations on the importance of the certification and employability in the corporate market: “LPI certification is one of the 10 most important IT certifications world-wide and, additionally, LPI's vendor-independent and distribution-neutral philosophy, makes it the most flexible and complete certification with a holistic vision based on free software.” 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 program's inception, LPI has delivered over 145,000 exams and 45,000 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 Media Contacts: Scott Lamberton Director of Communications Linux Professional Institute Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.lpi.org Telephone: +1-416-666-1574 José Carlos Gouveia Area Operations Manager, Latin America Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Telephone: +55 11 8133-4177 _______________________________________________ lpi-announce mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://list.lpi.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/lpi-announce
