IBM Opens A Linux Training Center In Russia

prostoalex writes "IBM and Russian Ministry of Communications announced the opening of the first Linux Competency Center in Moscow. Representative of the goverment was quoted saying that such a center will help 'create a Linux ecosystem enabling Russian hi-tech companies to expand into global markets faster. IT solutions based on Linux and open standards will open up great opportunities to businesses in Russia.' This news piece in Russian also quotes Russian government official planning to expand the Linux initiative into provincial cities as well, if the center in Moscow turns out to be a viable idea."

Comments

Cheap labor!

[Billly Gates]

... Subject says all.

Outsourcing

[dan14807]

Yet another opportunity for labor outsourcing. Woohoo.

Hey, maybe we can make up for it with the increase in bread-line-serving jobs that will inevitably be needed as the unemployed of America become the poor, homeless, and starving of America.

Russia 1 - Romania 0 (on the linux field )

[mAriuZ]

If you think this ibm move is bad for russians
then look of what ms does in romania

http://www.mcti.ro/mcti0.html?page=1610
18th of September - Strategic partnership between Romanian Government and Microsoft Corporation

Yesterday, 17th of September 2003, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dan Nica, cosigned, at Rome, with Steve Ballmer, CEO Microsoft Corporation, a document that initiates a strategic partnership between the Romanian Government and Microsoft Corporation.

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, stated: On behalf of Microsoft I am very, very excited to have the opportunity to enter this agreement with the Government of Romania, we had a very strong relationship with the government for a number of years. I am amazed to see how they quick progressed, their ambition and impressive work is being done by the Romanian government, bringing itself online, using the Internet and the electronic techniques to save money for the people of Romania and to really be on a worldwide level, leading as user of information technology. We certainly appreciate the high caliber, talent in the Romanian market, in mathematics, in computers. Microsoft recently acquired a Romanian company, one of the best in the world, the best in the world, we think, in security technology and it's exciting to have the chance to really help and support Minister Nica, to continue to improve our relations with Romania."

The partnership will run for three years, with possibility of renewal, and has as object the support provided to the Government in reaching its strategic purposes, with a view to creating an Information Society and the support for the development of the IT sector in order to enable Romania to become an European leader in software development. Also, the partnership creates conditions for concluding a framework-agreement of license between the Government and Microsoft. In order to unfold the strategic partnership, the Government and Microsoft will form a special team, which will be established by the end of October this year.

The agreement also includes the possibility for Microsoft to provide experts from its local or regional branches, in IT projects, and to support the development of the activity and capacities in this sector. In addition, the company could run IT training courses for the public administration personnel involved in complex projects and work out an adequate curriculum for training centers. The agreement also includes the possibility to launch a specific educational program and to continue the Academic Program initiative, which will develop the entrepreneurial skills of the students.